Use of pesticide glyphosate in the EU to be extended by one more year

BRUSSELS: The use of the controversial weedkiller glyphosate is to be permitted by one more year until December 15, 2023, a European Commission spokesperson told dpa on Tuesday.

The formal decision will be made by December 15, when the current authorization for glyphosate expires, the spokesperson said.

Although many EU countries do not back the extension, the European Commission plans to follow through with it.

The extra time is needed to review all the necessary information and assess the safety of the product before making a final decision whether glyphosate can be used in the EU or not, the commission says. Among other things, the pesticide has been criticized for causing cancer, which manufacturer Bayer vehemently denies.