Dutch Party for the Animals forces minister to vote against glyphosate in EU Agricultural Council
The Dutch Parliament has adopted a proposal put forward by Party for the Animals MP Leonie Vestering appealing to the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality to vote against the new authorisation of glyphosate in the EU Agriculture Council. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the world’s most widely used agricultural toxin: Round-up.
Although numerous scientific studies have linked glyphosate to such diseases as cancer and Parkinson’s Disease, as well as to the poisoning of aquatic flora and fauna and the pollution of our drinking water, the European Commission is proposing to re-authorise the use of this agricultural toxin for another 15 years.
Hasty vote
Leaked information recently revealed that the European Commission wants EU member states to vote on a new authorisation of glyphosate behind closed doors as early as in September. This is remarkable, as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) stated a few months ago, in July, that sufficient information about the safety of glyphosate is still lacking. The background documents on which EFSA based its opinion will not be made public until October – after the new authorisation will be voted on in Brussels.
Vestering: “We have known for years that glyphosate is very harmful and also unnecessary for healthy and sustainable agriculture. Weeds can also be removed mechanically, which does not result in our fields turning yellow after having been sprayed with toxins. We need to protect our health and biodiversity, so this is a great first step.”
A ban is needed
The Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality has therefore been instructed to vote against the new authorisation of glyphosate in the EU Agricultural Council. The Party for the Animals, together with concerned citizens, nature conservation organisations and the Parkinson’s Association, is appealing to other member states to vote against the new authorisation as well. If this new authorisation is not granted, glyphosate will be banned throughout the EU as from 1 January 2024. That would be great news for people, animals and nature!