No "critical areas of concern" to prevent renewed approval in the European Union for the use of glyphosate
Posted on: 13/07/2023, 00:00
The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) says it has not identified "critical areas of concern" to prevent renewed approval in the European Union for the use of glyphosate, one of the key ingredients in the popular Roundup brand of weed killer.
Glyphosate, has been used in the farming industry for a number of years, but EU approval for its use is due to expire. The EFSA’s view will be key when the decision is made on the renewal.
Since the World Health Organisation concluded that it was potentially hazardous to humans, its manufacturer countered by stating that numerous studies have proved that it is safe.
The renewal of the approval for Glyphosate use will be based on reports from EU countries and the ESFA’s conclusion. EU members will need to vote on the final proposal.
The maker of Roundup, German company Bayer have welcomed the EFS’s view. Bayer have been producing Roundup since they acquired the brand in 2018. They have also fought a number of lawsuits relating to claims that glyphosate caused cancer.
Due to some data gaps, the EFSA concluding that they could not properly assess other potential risks, including risks to aquatic plants. They have however concluded that consumers need not be concerned.
The EFSA did however say that a number of the proposed uses for glyphosate did pose risks to mammals.
The renewal application dates back to 2019, with the process still to be completed.
You also may be interested in...
The weedkiller report by Advanced Invasives on behalf of Cardiff Council. It's a detailed report that studies the impact and sustainability of different weedkiller methods. It's 75 pages long but the summaries on pages 16-20 give you the main results. The table below gives an overall summary - green being a positive outcome.
Red = Negative outcome
Orange = Intermediate outcome
Green = Postive outcome
The full report can be viewed here
Glyphosate, has been used in the farming industry for a number of years, but EU approval for its use is due to expire. The EFSA’s view will be key when the decision is made on the renewal.
Since the World Health Organisation concluded that it was potentially hazardous to humans, its manufacturer countered by stating that numerous studies have proved that it is safe.
The renewal of the approval for Glyphosate use will be based on reports from EU countries and the ESFA’s conclusion. EU members will need to vote on the final proposal.
The maker of Roundup, German company Bayer have welcomed the EFS’s view. Bayer have been producing Roundup since they acquired the brand in 2018. They have also fought a number of lawsuits relating to claims that glyphosate caused cancer.
Due to some data gaps, the EFSA concluding that they could not properly assess other potential risks, including risks to aquatic plants. They have however concluded that consumers need not be concerned.
The EFSA did however say that a number of the proposed uses for glyphosate did pose risks to mammals.
The renewal application dates back to 2019, with the process still to be completed.
You also may be interested in...
The weedkiller report by Advanced Invasives on behalf of Cardiff Council. It's a detailed report that studies the impact and sustainability of different weedkiller methods. It's 75 pages long but the summaries on pages 16-20 give you the main results. The table below gives an overall summary - green being a positive outcome.
| Control method | Cost | Environmental | Customer | Quality |
| Glyphosate | ||||
| Acetic acid | ||||
| Hot foam |
Red = Negative outcome
Orange = Intermediate outcome
Green = Postive outcome
The full report can be viewed here
