Critical process flaws discovered
Brussels/Vienna (OTS) – A consortium of six NGOs – PAN Europe, GLOBAL 2000, ClientEarth (EU), Générations Futures (France), PAN Germany and PAN Netherlands – launched legal action to challenge the European Commission's recent decision to reauthorize glyphosate. After a in-depth review of the glyphosate re-approval process and the Identification of several critical deficiencies Environmental protection organizations yesterday submitted a request for an internal review to the EU Commission.
The European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) have failed to fulfill their obligation to protect European citizens and the environment, have failed to comply with EU legislation and jurisprudence on Pesticides regulation and precautionary measure principle is respected.
The European Commission reapproved glyphosate for 10 years, despite a wealth of scientific evidence of its toxicity to human health and the environment. O The European Commission now has 22 weeks, that is, until the end of Juneformally respond to the request. If the Commission does not revoke the approval of glyphosate, the NGOs will go to court.
Defects in detail
Angeliki Lyssimachou, Head of Science and Policy at PAN Europe, says: “We are appalled by the incredible number of breaches of EU law. Scientific evidence on the significant health and environmental toxicity of glyphosate was not correctly communicated to the Commission by EFSA and ECHA. Farmers are the first victims. The Commission reauthorized glyphosate despite available information on its toxicity and numerous data gaps. This should have resulted in a ban.”
“The authorities systematically discarded all data from independent scientific literature and based their assessment solely on data provided by manufacturers. Furthermore, some important studies appear to be missing for several areas of the assessment. This should have led the Commission to make the Dossier no will be accepted because it is incomplete”, said Pauline Cervan, toxicologist at Generations Futures.
Helmut Burtscher-Schaden, biochemist at GLOBAL 2000adds: “Given the evidence uncovered in US court cases about Monsanto's influence in previous EU approval processes, we would have expected authorities to look particularly closely at studies of glyphosate producers this time. But authorities reiterated previous conclusions Copy-and-paste approval procedures – even when arguments were based on outdated manufacturer studies that are now generally considered unacceptable.”
“EFSA's risk assessment of glyphosate neglects the possible impact on the development of Parkinson's disease and autism spectrum disorders in children, while research by independent scientists points to a possible effect. We are very concerned that the Commission is saying to its citizens: “This is why we urge the Commission to apply the precautionary principle and withdraw the approval of glyphosate”, says Margriet Mantingh, president of PAN Netherlands.
Peter Clausing, toxicologist at PAN Germany said: “In disregard of their own guidelines and requirements, EU authorities distorted the evidence on the carcinogenic effects of glyphosate to reach the false conclusion that the substance is not carcinogenic.”
“Glyphosate is a dangerous substance – by reauthorizing it, the Commission made a manifest error, ignoring the law and independent and reliable science. Furthermore, the Commission is obliged under EU treaties to act prudently to avoid any harm “To avoid people and nature. We call on the Commission to finally take the science into account and withdraw its approval,” he said. Juliette Delarue, Senior Attorney at ClientEarthfinally.
Questions and contact:
Hannah Keller, GLOBAL 2000 press spokesperson, 0699 14 2000 64, [email protected]
Helmut Burtscher-Schaden, GLOBAL 2000 Environmental Chemist, +43 699 14 2000 34, [email protected]