As expected, the European Commission has blocked the Austrian government’s decision to implement a total ban on the use of glyphosate in agriculture and horticulture.
Austria had previously announced this intention to Brussels. The Commission unequivocally states that such a law is incompatible with applicable EU law.
The EU decision puts the Austrian coalition of the conservative ÖVP party and the Greens in a difficult position. Agriculture Minister Elisabeth Köstinger (ÖVP) had already hinted at a possible EU blockade, but the SPÖ opposition and the governing Green party want to stick to the planned ban, even if Brussels issues a negative opinion. According to the EU, there are no specific Austrian issues that would justify a ban on glyphosate in pesticides.
The EU statement has a suspensive effect, and the procedure is now extended by three months. Austria is asked to take the Commission’s comments into account. "After feedback from the European Commission, it is clear that this application conflicts with European legislation," said the Austrian Ministry of Agriculture. The Commission refers to the ongoing process for the re-evaluation of glyphosate’s approval.
Glyphosate is controversial because it has been widely used as the active ingredient in RoundUp, which scientists from the World Health Organization (WHO) have said can cause cancer. Others say this has not been proven. This was also the argument from the European Commission for extending the previously granted approval.
Scientific usage research is currently being conducted in four EU countries, including the Netherlands, with the EU planning to make a decision over the course of next year.
A consortium of various pesticide manufacturers submitted an application last year for renewed approval of glyphosate. The approval of the herbicide was decided at the end of 2017 in the EU for an additional five years until the end of 2022, which is why the “Glyphosate Renewal Group” is now aiming to continue using the product afterward as well.