EU co-operative Copa and Cogeca, representing 23 million EU farmers, expressed major disappointment of the failure to deliver an opinion on re-authorising the herbicide active substance glyphosate, warning EFSA’s positive assessment should be followed.
Copa and Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen stressed: "I am extremely disappointed at the lack of progress on this important dossier.
"We have always supported the European Food Safety Authoritys’s EFSA’s role and therefore, we call for a renewal of the authorisation of glyphosate.
"Both EU Institutions and Member States have the responsibility to build confidence in our high food safety standards by supporting the role of EFSA.
"EFSA gave a positive assessment on glyphosate and this should be respected, otherwise trust in EU procedures will be broken altogether."
"Farmers have been using for example no till – a sustainable agricultural practice – and it’s with the use of glyphosate that they can do this in a cost effective manner to ensure soils are in good condition.
"It is an important tool together with catch crops to prevent soil erosion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Pesonen added.
Wrapping up, he stressed: "We urge Member States to vote in favourof the renewal of the approval in the EU Appeals Committee.
"Without glyphosate, farmers’ competitiveness would be threatened and EU food production jeopardisedas no alternatives exist."
