E.U. Countries Delay Approval of Toxic Chemical in RoundUp

The following is a statement from Andy Kimbrell, director of Center for Food Safety:

“Glyphosate has been scientifically linked to cancer in humans and to the severe decline of monarch butterflies, an important indicator species. We know that this chemical is dangerous to people, pollinators, our food supply and the environment. Several countries have already acted to restrict public access to glyphosate because of the health risks it poses as a probable carcinogen, and we should do the same. The E.U. has an opportunity to get this toxic chemical off the market and if they do, we hope it will provide further incentive for the U.S. to follow suit.”

Background

The concerns over the safety of glyphosate came to the fore in March 2015 when the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer stated that the chemical is “probably carcinogenic in humans.”

The European Commission previously postponed a vote to reauthorize glyphosate by the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed after it became clear that there was not enough support from member countries to pass the measure.

Following the vote today, the Commission now has two options. Most likely, the issue will be referred to an appeal committee within the European Commission. This panel would be expected to be scheduled on June 20, to allow for a resolution prior to the June 30 deadline. However, it’s not an option that Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker favors. With little room to negotiate, it is likely that voting will once again reach an impasse, which would mean that the Commission would have to make a final unilateral decision without member country support.

The second option is for the Commission to do nothing and allow the June 30 deadline to pass by, resulting in market pull of glyphosate products. Officials are acutely aware of the potential lawsuits that could be brought from Monsanto (the producers of RoundUp) and other glyphosate producers if this were to happen.

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http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/press-releases/4392/eu-countries-delay-approval-of-toxic-chemical-in-roundup