Support for Party for the Animals’ objection to prolonged EU approval of endocrine disrupting agricultural toxins
Last week, the European Parliament Environment Committee objected to the prolonged EU approval of agricultural toxins flumioxazin and chlortoluron, voting in favour of the objection motions tabled by the Party for the Animals.
Above-mentioned examples of agricultural toxins are classified in EU legislation as endocrine disruptive and harmful to reproduction. In addition, they are dangerous to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Therefore, the EU approval is in breach of the law, argues the Party for the Animals.
"European legislation on pesticides stipulates that agricultural toxins should not be approved when they are endocrine disruptive or toxic to reproduction. However, scientific research confirms that flumioxazin and chlortoluron do just that. The European Commission is acting against the law and against science by keeping these toxins on the market," says Hazekamp.
The European Commission intends to extend the period of approval of a total of 63 toxins by a year.
"Despite a few big words in response to the citizens’ initiative on glyphosate, the European Commission is still neglecting to protect public health and the environment against toxins that should have been banned long ago. The EU is a puppet of the toxin industry and this has to stop," says Hazekamp.
The entire European Parliament will look into Hazekamp’s objection motions next October. If the motions are then once again supported, the European Commission will be forced to review its decision.