Press release - June 29, 2016
Brussels – The European Commission has extended a licence for glyphosate, a controversial weedkiller, until the end of 2017, when the European Chemicals Agency is expected to complete an assessment of glyphosate’s effects on human health and the environment.
Commenting on the Commission’s decision, Greenpeace EU food policy director Franziska Achterberg said: “The EU has decided to extend the use of glyphosate without any meaningful restriction, despite WHO warnings that it is a probable cause of cancer. This reckless decision was driven by a Commission that has lost touch with European citizens, quietly backed by many national governments.
The end of 2017 is just around the corner. National and regional governments, and the European Commission, should start preparing a glyphosate exit plan as soon as possible.”
Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in Europe. Its use has been linked to serious health concerns and loss of wildlife.
For more informationon glyphosate, please see our May 2016 media briefing.
Contacts:
Franziska Achterberg – Greenpeace EU food policy director: +32 (0)498 36 24 03,
Greenpeace EU press desk: +32 (0)2 274 19 11, 
For breaking news and comment on EU affairs: www.twitter.com/GreenpeaceEU
Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace. Greenpeace does not accept donations from governments, the EU, businesses or political parties.