EU Parliament in favour of the readmission of glyphosate. Support for ban of private and public use.
The European Parliament has approved of the readmission of the controversial pesticide glyphosate for maximum seven years. That is shorter than the admission for fifteen years as was proposed by the European Commission. The Party for the Animals called for a total ban of glyphosate. “It is highly disappointing that the European Parliament finds the profits of multinationals such as Monsanto more important than our environment and the health of people and animals,” said MEP Anja Hazekamp.
“This pesticide is hard to avoid and must be taken off the market since the safety of people and animals cannot be guaranteed,” said Hazekamp. The proposals of the Party for the Animals and Green Left to ban private use and the use in public parks and playgrounds were supported in the European Parliament.
Glyphosate is the most sold pesticide in the world. The pesticide kills weed in gardens and is used on a large scale in agriculture. Last year, the World Health Organisation warned that the pesticide is most likely carcinogenic. Additionally, the pesticide may possibly be endocrine disruptors. But its producer Monsanto and the daily European government state that the pesticide is safe for use. The European Commission therefore made a proposal for the readmission of glyphosate for the maximum period of fifteen years.
“The widespread use and the carcinogenic effect of glyphosate are a dangerous combination. This pesticide is found in rivers, in ground water and in our food. Research has proved that half of all people in Europe have levels of glyphosate in their body. Many people are seriously concerned about it, as much as two-thirds of all Europeans want glyphosate to be banned,” according to Hazekamp.
The definitive decision about glyphosate lies with the 28 Member States of the European Union. They will vote on readmission of this cargogenic product in mid-May. France, Sweden, Italy and the Netherlands have objected to renewing the glyphosate admission until now. But State Secretary Van Dam recently informed the Lower House by letter that he wishes to agree to the readmission of the pesticide under certain conditions.