Broad mobilization puts EU glyphosate reauthorization on hold
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- Published on Thursday, 30 March 2017 20:45
- Written by editor
Broad mobilization puts EU glyphosate reauthorization on hold
Strong mobilization by a wide coalition of citizen groups including trade unions has succeeded in temporarily blocking renewed EU authorization of glyphosate, the world's most widely-used herbicide and the active ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup. Thousands of you responded to our appeal in March to send messages to the European Commission and its agencies, urging them to protect workers, public health and the environment and refuse continued use of this toxic menace in agriculture and in public spaces.The Commission has now failed three times to get approval through the technical committee through which the procedure must pass - a testimony to the strength of popular opposition. But reauthorization will be voted on in an Appeal Committee process on June 24, and the Commission can still act unilaterally. (CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE)
The Commission and national governments are maneuvering between pressure from the agrochemical lobby and a popular insurgency that won't go away. Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has suggested that individual member states can choose to ban or restrict glyphosate use, knowing that that could leave them vulnerable to potential industry lawsuits. France, Germany and Italy have reportedly urged Juncker to approve reauthorization while they abstain from voting in the Appeal Committee, throwing the responsibility for an unpopular move onto the Commission while maintaining credibility with public opinion at home.
The fight is not yet over. The IUF will continue to work for a global ban on glyphosate and for the reduction and elimination of toxic chemicals in food production which place agricultural workers in the front line of exposure to hazards which threaten the environment and human health generally through wider contamination.
Thanks again for your support.
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