The European Commission will continue the use of the controversial chemical herbicide glyphosate in the European Union for 10 more years after the 27 member countries again failed to find a common position for or against a prolongation.

Representatives of EU states were unable to reach a decision last month, and a new vote by an appeal committee was again unconclusive on Thursday. Because of the deadlock, the EU’s executive arm said it will endorse its own proposal and renew the approval of glyphosate for 10 years, with new conditions attached.

“These restrictions include a prohibition of pre-harvest use as a desiccant and the need for certain measures to protect non-target organisms,” it said in a statement.

The chemical, which is widely used in the bloc to the great anger of environment groups, had been approved in the EU market until mid-December.

  • RayJW
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    291 year ago

    What a shame… this was the chance to finally get rid of this cancerous herbicide and now we’re stuck with it for another ten years it seems. If you want more information and / or voice your disagreement there is this petition with more than 2.5 million signatures.