The United States and the European Union are negotiating – mostly in secret – to reach a free trade agreement that could jeopardise public health and the environment. This is TTIP.
Glyphosate, the EU postpones again. No decision until the end of 2017
Senza una decisione da parte dei governi sul glifosato, la Commissione europea ha prolungato l’autorizzazione all’uso dell’erbicida per altri 18 mesi.
Governments gathered no less than three times without reaching an agreement, procrastinating until the 30th of June. So, the European Commission had to remedy the lack of harmony between the 28 member states, and decided to extend, until 31 December 2017, the authorisation for the weedkiller glyphosate. One-sidedness.
Brussels’ aversion
“After EU Member States failed to take responsibility for the decision on glyphosate extension, Commission decided to extend the approval of glyphosate for a limited period of time,” said Enrico Brivio, Commission Spokesperson for Health and Food Safety. Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis said he was surprised at governments’ behaviour and, especially, silence, as they showed being “unable to take on responsibility with a qualified majority”.
Waiting for new results on glyphosate
Hopefully, the representatives of each state will use extra time to meet and reach an agreement, without building walls, but only analysing facts and scientific researches, while waiting for the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will express its opinion on the risks of the weedkiller. The Commission asked member states to meet in July and continue talks to find a majority. Even if it takes resorting to the precautionary principle, which allowed the European Union taking care of its citizens’ interests.
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