Glyphosate debate goes to wire

Later today, EU member states will take part in a last-ditch appeals panel negotiation aimed at breaking the on-going deadlock on the re-registration of the herbicide glyphosate.

However, despite the fact that the product’s licence is due to run out in just over a fortnight, continued political posturing and wrangling over its safety record could result in yet another failure to reach agreement.

With the European Commission originally recommending that the product was reinstated for a further 15 years, the term has gradually been eroded, 0 Glyphosate’s licence is due to run out in a fortnight first down to ten years and more laterally a five-year period.

But with some countries still calling for an immediate ban, citing growing evidence which challenges the evidence base of the product’s safety record, a three-year re-registration period could now be up for discussion at today’s meeting – although some in favour or re-registration are reported to be ready to dig their heels in for the longer timescale.

With the current interim German government duty bound not to make any long-term commitments, they could once again abstain, making a “no opinion” vote possible yet again.

In such an even the European Commission could be forced to step in and make a ruling on the issue – a move they have been keen to avoid as such an undertaking would inevitably lead them to be painted as “the bad guys” by one side or the other.