Commission prolongs glyphosate licence by 18 months

The European Commission decided in June 2016 to extend the licence for glyphosate by 18 months, after member states failed to achieve a qualified majority in favour or against the EC's proposal.

Both NGOs and the industry criticised the Commission’s final decision on glyphosate, an active ingredient used in Monsanto’s RoundUp, the world’s most widely sold herbicide.

The licence was later amended with further restrictions, as the EU's Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed supported a proposal from the Commission to limit the use of glyphosate, including a ban on one co-formulant called POE-tallowamine.

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: MEMO/16/2012, 01.06.16: FAQs: Glyphosate http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-2012_en.htm

Irish Independent, 29.06.16: EU Commission intervenes in glyphosate dispute http://www.independent.ie/business/farming/eu-commission-intervenes-in-glyphosate-dispute-34837409.html

Agriland, 30.06.16: Glyphosate restrictions proposed by Europe include reduced pre-harvest use https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/glyphosate-restrictions-recommended-by-europe-include-reduced-pre-harvest-use/

The Irish Times, 29.06.16: EU extends licence of controversial weedkiller http://www.irishtimes.com/business/agribusiness-and-food/eu-extends-licence-of-controversial-weedkiller-1.2704315

Agriland, 28.06.16: Commission to extend authorisation of Glyposhate for 18 months https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/commission-to-extend-authorisation-of-glyposhate-for-18-months/

The Wall Street Journal, 29.06.16: European Commission Extends Sale of Glyphosate http://www.wsj.com/articles/european-commission-extends-sale-of-glyphosate-1467208243

The Guardian, 29.06.16: Controversial chemical in Roundup weedkiller escapes immediate ban https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jun/29/controversial-chemical-roundup-weedkiller-escapes-immediate-ban

Deutsche Welle, 29.06.16: EU extends license for controversial weed killer glyphosate by 18 months http://dw.com/p/1JFmn

Politico, 28.06.16: Commission to clear controversial weedkiller glyphosate for 18 months http://www.politico.eu/article/commission-clears-controversial-weedkiller-glyphosate-cancer-for-18-months-vytenis-andrikaitis/

EurActiv, 01.07.16: EU muddling on glyphosate fuelled Brexit populism http://www.euractiv.com/section/science-policymaking/news/eu-muddling-on-glyphosate-fuelled-brexit-populism/

EurActiv, 12.07.16: EU agrees ban on glyphosate co-formulant http://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/eu-agrees-ban-on-glyphosate-co-formulant/

Agriland, 11.07.16: EU member states agree restrictions on the use of Glyphosate http://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/glyphosate/

ESO: Background information: Statement: Glyphosate: Commission proposes the way forward - Statement by Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-glyphosate-commission-proposes-the-way-forward-statement-by-commissioner-for-health-and-food-safety-vytenis-andriukaitis/

EurActiv, 29.08.16: Monsanto and Greenpeace bicker over access to glyphosate studies http://www.euractiv.com/section/science-policymaking/news/monsanto-and-greenpeace-bicker-over-access-to-glyphosate-studies/

EurActiv, 14.02.17: Italy urged to follow through with ban on glyphosate co-formulant http://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/italy-urged-to-follow-through-with-ban-on-glyphosate-co-formulant/

---