The European Union (Eu) approved the use of the controversial herbicide Glyphosate for another 10 years.
- The EU Commission said that there will be new conditions and restrictions including a prohibition of pre-harvest use as a desiccant and the need for certain measures to protect non-target organisms.
- Representatives of EU states were unable to reach a decision last month, and a new vote by an appeal committee was again inconclusive.
- The current period of authorization was due to expire in mid-December.
- Glyphosate is one of the most widely used weedkiller in the world, however, critics point to evidence that it may cause cancer and pose a risk to biodiversity.
- The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has concluded that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
- However, other agencies around the world, including the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Chemicals Agency, have classified glyphosate as non-carcinogenic.
- The Government of India has not banned the sale, distribution and use of Glyphosate or any other pesticide that contain glyphosate.
