EU proposes 10-year extension for glyphosate herbicide linked to cancer

The European Commission has proposed to renew the use of the controversial herbicide glyphosate in the EU for 10 years after a report has found no reason to discontinue its use. 

Roundup, the glyphosate-based weedkiller made by Monsanto, is the most widely used in France. AFP/File

Glyphosate is one of the most widely used weed-killers in the world but critics point to evidence that says it may cause cancer and constitutes a risk to biodiversity.

The European Union's 27 member states will discuss the proposal to renew its use this Friday and then be approved by a weighted majority of countries during a meeting on 13 October. 

The latest proposal comes after the European Food Safety Authority said in July it had not found "any critical areas of concern" preventing glyphosate from being reauthorised, sparking a backlash from environmental groups.

Environment activists say there is scientific evidence that glyphosate may cause cancer, poison aquatic life and can be fatal to key pollinators like bees.

The previous authorisation expired in December 2022 but was extended by a year pending a scientific study of the herbicide.

#Glyphosate: we published on open.efsa the last batch of background documents, incl. the final Renewal Assessment Report.

👉https://t.co/9SDQLRUM7j #RiskAssessment pic.twitter.com/rj94VrnWbL

— EFSA (@EFSA_EU) September 13, 2023

Environmental groups slam EU proposal

The proposal would authorise its usage of the herbicide until 15 December, 2033, double the previous five-year authorisation but less than the 15-year period initially planned.

Authorisation for its use in the EU can be withdrawn if any development warrants a change in position.

• Environmental groups sue French state over use of pesticides

However, environmental defenders have accused the European Union of putting people's health at risk.

"Industry interests clearly prevail over health and the environment," said Angeliki Lysimachou, head of science and policy at ecologist group PAN Europe.

European Parliament members also hit out at the plans.

"By destroying biodiversity, glyphosate endangers our long-term food security. This proposal is irresponsible," said Green MEP Benoit Biteau.

But the European Chemicals Agency last year said scientific evidence did not justify classifying glyphosate as a carcinogen.

Glyphosate in the EU up to 2034? EU commission proposal presented today is a danger to health and environment and violation of citizens will and EU law. #StopGlyphosate https://t.co/jUjw65d10A

— PAN Europe (@EuropePAN) September 20, 2023

Mitigating risk

The commission's proposal says the use of glyphosate must be accompanied by "risk mitigation measures".

For example, there must be a "non-sprayed buffer strip" of five to 10 metres in a field and equipment used to drastically reduce "spray drift".

The EFSA agency's report noted there were gaps in the data in some areas, and "identified a high long-term risk to mammals" in 12 of 23 of the proposed uses of glyphosate.

To address this, the commission urged member states, in charge of issuing permits at a national level and setting conditions of use, to "pay particular attention" to effects on the environment.

Countries must "pay attention" to the impact on small mammals and consider whether it is "necessary" to impose mitigating measures like limiting the timing of use or maximum dose rate.

The text also now bans glyphosate's use for desiccation – drying a crop before harvest.

• French farmer poisoned by Monsanto herbicide wins 'paltry' compensation

WHO warnings 'unheeded'

Pascal Canfin, the head of the parliament's environment committee, criticised the lack of restrictions on use in the "unacceptable" proposal that was "not in accordance with the EFSA's conclusions".

Luxembourg had prohibited glyphosate in 2020 before the courts forced it to lift the ban earlier this year.

The proposal comes as the parliament and member states are bogged down in negotiations for a law that imposes binding pesticide reduction targets in the EU.

Wednesday's proposal comes despite the World Health Organization's cancer agency having said in 2015 that glyphosate – the active ingredient in many generic herbicides including Monsanto's Roundup – was "probably carcinogenic".