This is from\u00a0Reuters:\u00a0Monday 6 June 2016 15.23\u00a0BST<\/p>\n
\"EU nations have refused to back a limited extension of the pesticide glyphosate\u2019s use, threatening withdrawal of Monsanto\u2019s Roundup and other weedkillers from shelves if no decision is reached by the end of the month. \u00a0Contradictory findings on the carcinogenic risks\u00a0of the chemical have thrust it into the centre of a dispute among EU and US politicians, regulators and researchers.<\/p>\n
The EU executive, after failing to win support\u00a0in two meetings earlier this year for a proposal to renew the licence for glyphosate\u00a0for up to 15 years, had offered a limited 12 to 18 month extension to allow time for further scientific study. \u00a0It hopes a study by the European Union\u2019s Agency for Chemical Products (ECHA) will allay health concerns.<\/p>\n
Despite the compromise, the proposal failed to win the qualified majority \u2013 the support of member states representing at least 65% of the EU\u2019s population \u2013 needed for adoption, an EU official said. \u00a0Seven member states abstained from Monday\u2019s vote, 20 backed the proposal and one voted against, a German environment ministry spokeswoman said.<\/p>\n
European commissioners will discuss the issue at a meeting on Tuesday, a commission spokesman said. \u00a0Failing a majority decision, the EU executive may submit its proposal to an appeal committee of political representatives of the 28 member states within one month. If, again, there is no decision, the European commission may adopt its own proposal.<\/p>\n
The controversy overhangs German chemicals group Bayer\u2019s $62bn offer in May to buy US seeds company\u00a0Monsanto. Germany was among those which abstained from Monday\u2019s vote and has in the past opposed Monsanto\u2019s genetically modified seeds.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Commenting on the decision, the Green\u2019s environment and food safety spokesperson Bart Staes MEP said:<\/p>\n
\u201cWe applaud those EU governments who are sticking to their guns and refusing to authorise this controversial toxic herbicide. \u00a0There are clear concerns about the health risks with glyphosate, both as regards it being a carcinogen and an endocrine disruptor. \u00a0Moreover, glyphosate\u2019s devastating impact on biodiversity should have already led to its ban. \u00a0Thankfully, the significant public mobilisation and political opposition to re-approving glyphosate has been taken seriously by key EU governments, who have forced the EU commission to back down. \u00a0The commission must stop continuing to try and force through the approval of glyphosate. \u00a0Such a move would raise major democratic concerns about the EU\u2019s decision-making process.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
It's unclear in all this what Bart knows about science \u2013 sound advice about which the EU is now short of because of its decision last year to dispense with anyone capable of providing it. \u00a0No wonder the President of the UK's National Farmers' Union said this in a letter to last week's Economist:<\/p>\n
\"We want to see proportionate and science-based regulations ... \u00a0What is the EU's strategy for achieving this?\"<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Indeed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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