European Union fails to reach agreement on extending the use of glyphosate

The European Union faces internal divisions over the extent of glyphosate use. This Friday, the European Commission announced that there was not a sufficient majority in the vote to renew the authorization to use the pesticide for another 10 years. As a result, the matter will be referred to an appeals committee in November.

The current EU authorization for glyphosate expires on December 15th. If the appeals committee does not resolve the issue by that date, the Commission will have the power to make the final decision on whether or not to extend the use of the herbicide. European Commission spokesperson Stefan De Keersmaecker highlighted that the commission's proposal could be adjusted based on input from EU member countries.

France, Germany, Austria and Luxembourg are among the countries that have taken a stance against extending the use of glyphosate. On the other hand, Sweden, Italy and Portugal are in favor of renewal. The division of opinion among the 27 member countries makes the decision on glyphosate a complex challenge.

German company Bayer, which acquired glyphosate when it bought Monsanto, has expressed confidence that in the next phase of the approval process, a sufficient number of member states will support the Commission's proposed renewal.

The European Commission seeks to address several considerations, proposing risk mitigation measures, such as buffer zones around areas sprayed with glyphosate and equipment to prevent the spread of the herbicide to other areas. Furthermore, it urged member states to monitor possible environmental effects and establish strict conditions for the use of the herbicide. The future of glyphosate in the European Union remains uncertain, subject to negotiations and decisions amid divisions of opinion.