Future of Glyphosate Still Unclear

The EU Commission has once again failed to obtain Member States’ agreement to renew the licence for Glyphosate.  After postponing two votes for a proposal to renew the licence for up to 15 years, on 6^th June the Commission put forward a plan for a 12 – 18 month temporary extension.  This is to allow time for a further scientific study by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to be completed.  But although the majority of Member States are in favour of a renewal, no qualified majority (55% of MS and representing at least 65% of the EU population) was obtained.

The decision will now go to an appeal on the 23^rd or 24^th; the Member States who abstained, Germany, Italy, France, Greece, Austria, Portugal and Luxembourg (only Malta voted no) will be asked to reconsider their vote.  If there is still no qualified majority the decision reverts to the EU Commission.  It is likely to grant a temporary extension.  The authorisation expires on 1^st July and if there is no extension Member States would have to withdraw the authorisations for plant protection products containing Glyphosate from their markets.