The European Parliament has backed
restrictions on the use of glyphosate – the world’s most used weedkiller and a
shortening of its licence, amid rising health concerns. In a non-binding
resolution, MEPs today called for a ban on all uses of glyphosate-based
herbicides in private and public green areas, including spraying in and around
public parks, playgrounds and gardens. MEPs also called for restrictions on its
use in agricultural fields shortly before harvesting, and said a new glyphosate
licence should be limited to seven instead of 15 years. The Independent MEP
Marian Harkin says she has serious concerns about glyphosate.

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Further
background

In March 2015, the World Health Organisation [WHO]’s International Agency for Research on Cancer
classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen. However, the European Food
Safety Authority EFSA said in November 2015 that there was no
evidence of a cancer link.  

The European Parliament has
given the green light for €100 million in EU emergency aid for refugees within
the EU. In a vote today MEPs also approved funds to hire new staff for the EU
law enforcement agency EUROPOL’s European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC).  Before the vote, the President of the European
Council Donald Tusk told MEPs that tougher measures to tackle the migrant
crisis were essential to prevent catastrophic political events unfolding in
Europe.  

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Expecting a 100% effective solution to the
migrant crisis is ‘a dangerous illusion’. That was the warning from the
President of the European Council Donald Tusk when he addressed the European
Parliament this morning. Mr Tusk told MEPs the recent EU-Turkey deal on
migrants was anything but perfect.

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