EU nations fail to approve pesticide glyphosate after vote to extend use

Only Malta voted against the proposal to extend glyphosate use
Only Malta voted against the proposal to extend glyphosate use

EU nations have refused to back a limited extension of the pesticide glyphosate's use on Monday (6 June).

The EU executive - after failing to win support in two meetings earlier this year for a proposal to renew the licence for glyphosate for up to 15 years - had offered a 12 to 18 month extension to allow time for further scientific study.

It hopes a study by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will allay health concerns, as citizen and environmental groups pile pressure on governments to take a precautionary approach.

The compromise proposal failed to win the qualified majority needed for adoption, an EU official said, adding the European Commission will discuss the issue at a meeting on Tuesday.

Seven member states abstained and 20 backed the proposal, a German environment ministry spokeswoman said. Only Malta voted against, diplomats said.

In order for the commission’s proposal to pass, a qualified majority of 55% of member states – at least 16 countries – and representing 65% of the total EU population voting in favour was necessary.

Without a majority decision, the EU executive may submit its proposal to an appeal committee of political representatives of the 28 member states within a month.

If there is again no decision, the European Commission may adopt its own proposal.

Glyphosate is a major profit driver for Missouri-based Monsanto, which Germany’s Bayer AG is currently trying to take over. But it is also a key ingredient in other widely used weedkillers.

Along with the temporary extension, the commission had proposed restrictions on when and how to use glyphosate.

Among those are a ban on a common coformulant of glyphosate, known as POE-tallowamine, and recommendations to minimize its use on public playgrounds, parks and gardens, as well as directly before harvest.

Update: The Brussels office can confirm that the likely date for the Appeals Committee is the week commencing Monday June 20 2016 – just days before the official authorisation of glyphosate expires.