Copa and Cogeca regretted the EU Commission plans to re-authorise the use of the herbicide active substance glyphosate in EU crop production for only ten years and not fifteen, after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) gave it a positive scientific assessment.
Copa and Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen stressed “Both EFSA and ECHA have published strong scientific evidence that supports the re-authorization of this widely-used active substance for 15 years since there are no safety concerns. We feel it is essential to respect these opinions and maintain trust in EFSA and the high standards that EU producers meet. Creating doubt about EU science-based decision-making processes will only have an negative impact on the credibility of the EU authorities and jeopardise our high safety standards at the same time as putting our own farmers in a less competitive and uncertain position vis a vis their competitors in non-EU countries”.
The statement comes as the Commission readies itself to re-launch discussions with Member States on the possible renewal of the active substance glyphosate for 10 years and not 15.
But Copa & Cogeca argue that glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the EU, enabling us to produce safe, affordable, quality food. Its use is also essential together with catch crops to prevent soil erosion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Since there is no scientific evidence to suggest it should not be re-authorised, we called on the EU to re-authorise its use for fifteen years in accordance with EU legislation, he insisted.
