European farmers breathed a sigh of relief today after MEPs voted to re-authorise glyphosate.
Glyphosate, which is Europe’s most widely used herbicide, was at threat of not being re-authorised after anti-pesticide campaigners warned the chemical could pose a threat to public health and the environment.
A vote in the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday saw a motion passed for glyphosate to be re-authorised for professional use only for seven years, instead of 15. The motion was passed by 374 votes to 225, with 102 abstentions.
MEPs also called for full disclosure of the scientific evidence behind an assessment of glyphosate by the European Food Safety Authority, and called for an end to farmers using the herbicide to ripen grain before harvest.
NFU Scotland (NFUS) last night welcomed the vote by MEPs but called on the European Commission to “follow science” and re-authorise glyphosate for a full 15-year term for all current uses.
NFUS president, Allan Bowie, said: “Glyphosate is a hugely important product for farmers and is used responsibly across Scotland and the EU. The best available science says it’s safe. We are glad European parliamentarians appear to have accepted its continued role in the production of safe, affordable, healthy food.
“At a farm level, the application of glyphosate remains the safest and most appropriate way to manage weeds and produce high quality crops. It is important that when the Commission arrives at its final decision, this herbicide remains as widely available to the industry as it is just now and that any decisions are driven by science and not rhetoric.”
Scottish MEP Ian Duncan, who voted in favour of re-authorising glyphosate, said: “This is a rare victory for common sense in the European Parliament. I know just how crucial glyphosate is to Scottish farmers, and the consequences of a ban would have been severe.”
Following yesterday’s vote, the European Commission’s standing committee on plants, animals, food and feed will vote on whether or not to re-authorise glyphosate in May. If the committee fails to reach a majority decision, the European Commission will have the final say on the matter.
