Holly Cairns
Question:12. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on banning or restriction the use of glyphosate. [28551/23]
View answerThursday, 13 July 2023
Questions (12)
Written answers
Pesticide active substances, such as glyphosate, contained in plant protection products are approved centrally at EU level and plant protection products are subsequently authorised for specific uses nationally using robust scientific evaluation and decision-making criteria.
The current approval for glyphosate will expire on 15 December 2023. The EU process to consider whether or not to renew the approval is ongoing. This process involves a comprehensive evaluation of all relevant scientific data and a rigorous peer review process led by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
EFSA issued a press release on 6 July 2023 stating that they have completed their assessment, covering the impact of glyphosate on the health of humans, animals and the environment. They indicated that they did not identify any critical areas of concern. Their scientific conclusion report is expected to be published by the end of July 2023, after final checks have been completed.
ECHA completed its scientific assessment on the appropriate chemical hazard classification for glyphosate during 2022 and reported that the available scientific evidence does not meet the criteria to classify glyphosate as a carcinogenic substance. This conclusion was based on a highly detailed review of a wide range of scientific evidence, including extensive input from a public consultation.
The next step is the formulation of a legislative proposal by the European Commission on whether or not to renew approval for glyphosate. This proposal will be voted on by Member State representatives at the EU Standing Committee dealing with pesticide legislation. It is currently anticipated that a proposal could be presented for a vote during October 2023.
My Department will finalise its position based on the details in the proposal put forward for a vote and taking account of EFSA’s and ECHA’s scientific opinions and conclusions, as it does for all pesticide active substances.