With five weeks to go before the licence for glyphosate expires (December 15), the European Union is voting on whether to renew authorisation for the controversial herbicide for a further five years.
Farmers say a ban could cost them millions of euros.
The Commission initially recommended a ten-year licence renewal. Environmental campaigners oppose any renewal at all and the bloc is split over the ballot. Expert opinion on whether or not the weedkiller is carcinogenic is mixed.
France says it will oppose the five-year option, saying it would prefer a three-year renewal. Italy and Austria have also expressed opposition.
Luis Morago, Campaign Director at US-based civic organisation Avaaz said:
“There may be a decision that could be a make or break for the future of glyphosate in Europe, and people are concerned. This is showing, the action today is that people are concerned about the impact of glyphosate on their health and on their children’s health. And they want a ban [on glyphosate].”
US corporation Monsanto insists its Roundup weedkiller, which contains glyphosate as an active ingredient, meets European licencing standards.
