The European Parliament today voted for the
ongoing use of the popular weedkiller known as glyphosate. However, the MEPs
pushed for a restriction of its licence renewal from an initial proposed 15-year period to 7
years. In a non-binding resolution, MEPs also 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. The weedkiller is widely used by the likes of farmers and gardeners.
However the Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan says she’s very disappointed with today’s
vote. 

Dur: 00:40

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. The World
Health Organisation’s [WHO] International Agency for Research on Cancer has
said that glyphosate is a probable carcinogen. However, the European Food
Safety Authority said in November 2015 that there was no evidence of a cancer
link. The Independent MEP Marian Harkin says
today’s vote to restrict the use of glyphosate didn’t go far enough.

Dur: 00:38 

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.

Dur: 00:24 

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.