Restricting use of glyphosate improves water quality
Vewin welcomes the European Parliament’s vote and regards it as support for and strengthening of policy in the Netherlands that since the end of March has banned professional use of chemical plant production products, including glyphosate, on hard surfacing outside agricultural sites. The same ban will come into effect for other sites at year-end 2017. This will benefit water quality, because plant protection products used outside agriculture are largely responsible for the violation of standards. Together with the Association of Dutch Water Authorities, Vewin had called upon members of the European Parliament to support a short re-approval term and more restricted use of glyphosate.
Glyphosate re-approval term shortened
The vote was originally about re-approval of the active ingredient glyphosate, for which authorisation expires this year. The European Commission had proposed re-approval for 15 years. This was rejected by the European Parliament, which in its resolution calls for a far shorter approval of 7 years. Earlier, the Netherlands and various other Member States had also raised their concerns with the Commission. The Commission will submit a revised proposal to the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF) in April or May. When drawing up an implementing regulation, however, the Commission may disregard the recommendations made by Member States and the European Parliament.