Glyphosate hazard assessment only in November

Assessment by Food Safety Authority later than expected
Crop protection products containing the active substance glyphosate have been classified as "probably carcinogenic" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Now the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has to assess the case so that a new authorization can be decided. But the exam obviously takes more time than expected.

Critics call for immediate ban
Glyphosate is one of the most widely used plant protection products and is widely used in agriculture as well as by communities and private individuals for weed control. However, the International Cancer Research Agency (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO), has assessed the drug as "probably carcinogenic" after evaluating several studies. Critics call for an immediate ban, in addition, there is uncertainty in many places, whether glyphosate can be used or not.

Controversial pesticide. Image: ComZeal - fotolia

European Commission decides on further approval
Accordingly, the assessment of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is eagerly awaited. It is currently reviewing the re-certification of the weed killer, as the EU-wide permit expires at the end of 2015 after ten years. The EFSA conclusion will then be communicated to the European Commission, which will decide whether or not to include glyphosate in the EU list of authorized substances.

The assessment is expected only in the fall
But this process seems to take longer than previously thought. As an EFSA spokesman said, the assessment is not expected to take place by 13 August, but only at the end of October or early November, reports the Austrian news agency "APA". The delay was justified by the official report of the IARC presented last week. Because the classification "probably carcinogenic" should be included in the evaluation.

According to the IARC, studies in humans have provided limited evidence, as well as animal testing, that glyphosate can cause cancer. Thus, the WHO authority disagreed with previous assessments by other institutions. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), too, concluded in its most recent assessment that, based on current data, no carcinogenic risk for humans can be derived if the product is used correctly. (No)