Foodlaw-Reading
Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
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European Parliament Press Release, 11 October 2017
MEPs discussed the EU risk assessment of the herbicide glyphosate, in the light of the so-called “Monsanto Papers”, with experts in a public hearing on Wednesday.
Facts
Glyphosate is a widely used, but highly controversial plant protection product and the active substance in Monsanto's weed killer Roundup. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) concluded that glyphosate is safe, while the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified it as “probably carcinogenic to humans”.
At the hearing, MEPs discussed with experts the scientific basis for the risk assessment of glyphosate and the alleged influence of industry representatives on this assessment in the US and the EU. Leaked internal Monsanto emails suggest that the scientific assessment of glyphosate might have been influenced by the company.
The hearing took place against the background of the ongoing debate over the renewal of glyphosate's license in the EU. The current license expires on 15 December 2017, and the Commission has proposed a renewal for ten years. The hearing aimed to help MEPs decide on possible follow-up action.
