This Tuesday, the Environment Committee of the European Parliament failed to approve a resolution that called for a total ban on the use of glyphosate in the EU, the most used herbicide in Europe, but also one of the most controversial due to its possible effects on health. human. The result has been criticized by the Greens and environmental organizations, who wanted to prevent the European Commission from authorizing the use of this chemical product for 10 more years. The matter has obtained 38 votes in favor, 40 against and 6 abstentions.
"The large agricultural lobby has won at the expense of the health of farmers and our ecosystems. Allowing glyphosate to be authorized again would be giving a blank check to large companies in the sector to sell a pesticide about which there are many loopholes. regarding its long-term effects on the body," criticized Bas Eickhout, Green MEP and vice-president of the Environment Committee.
The Health and Environment Alliance organization has also regretted the result of the vote and considered that it contradicts what the European Parliament decided on glyphosate in 2017, when it called for a gradual elimination within a period of five years.
In 2015, the WHO classified this herbicide widely used in Europe as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." However, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has not identified critical areas of concern arising from the use of glyphosate, although in its latest report it has identified data gaps, that is, issues about which it does not conclusions could be drawn.
Environmental organizations such as Greenpeace not only highlight the potential health problems of this chemical, but also the negative effects it can have on the environment. "It pollutes soil and water and affects other living beings (aquatic organisms from microscopic algae to fish and mollusks, including frogs and their tadpoles, and soil organisms, such as earthworms, which are essential for soil fertility). )," they point out on their website.
On September 20, the European Commission proposed extending the use of the herbicide glyphosate for another ten years, until 2033, in the European Union, although community sources were open to reviewing and withdrawing their approval before this period expires if new scientific studies appear that so advise. For now, the EU justifies the extension of the permit to use glyphosate based on the already cited EFSA report.
The acting Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, recalled this Monday that Spain supports the European Commission's proposal to extend the permits for the use of the herbicide for 10 years and has asked for "consistency" with the scientific advice, which endorses its use.
"My position is very clear: we have to follow scientific advice. If science and our organizations recommend banning a certain product, we follow their advice, and if they support its use, too," the minister added.
The decision on glyphosate licenses has been delayed to November after a lack of agreement was noted among the Twenty-Seven in the vote that took place on October 13 in a Standing Committee in which both the Member States and the European Commission itself.
