European Commission to extend glyphosate licence for eighteen months

The European Commission is extending by 18 months its approval for weedkiller glyphosate, used in Monsanto's Roundup, Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis said today (29/06)

Contradictory findings on carcinogenic risks have thrust the chemical into the centre of a dispute between EU and US politicians, regulators and researchers.

Campaign groups urged governments to exercise caution and EU member states repeatedly failed to take a decision to extend the licence approval, which was due to expire at the end of this month.

"The Commission will follow our legal obligation. We know very well that we have a deadline of June 30. We will adopt an extension for glyphosate of 18 months," the health commissioner told a news conference.

The European Commission's decision to relicense glyphosate for 18 months seeks to allow time for the European Agency for Chemical Products (ECHA) to reassess the safety of the product.

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