GLYPHOSATE LICENCE RENEWED
For another five years
by TurfPro Editor, Steve Gibbs
 
Steve Gibbs

Well, the uncertainly is finally out the way - if only for another five years!

 

Last week the EU Commission's Appeal Committee got around to renewing the licence for glyphosate for the next five years. Which according to a report in the Guardian, "falls far short of the 15-year licence the commission had originally sought."

 

The proposal received 18 votes in favour and nine against, with one abstention, bringing to an end months of deadlock.

 

The Commission says the new five-year licence will be ready before the current one expires on 15 December. After the 5 year period, a new EU renewal application will be required once again.

 

However, the BBC reported France plans to ban the use of glyphosate within three years. 

 

The product has proved controversial over the years with one UN study calling it "probably carcinogenic" - however other scientists have always claimed it is safe to use.

 

In the UK The Amenity Forum issued a statement welcoming the news of the renewal.

Professor John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Amenity Forum, said, "It is an important active ingredient used in the amenity sector and has been proved to be safe to use following extensive analysis and review. The Forum always advocates an integrated approach to weed control utilising all methods available, cultural, biological, mechanical and chemical.

 

"However glyphosate remains in many situations the most cost effective and efficient method ensuring safe, healthy and sustainable amenity spaces and sports surfaces fit for purpose and keeping Britain moving."

 

Also issuing a statement expressing their delight at the ruling were chemical company Rigby Taylor. Their Chemicals Product Manager, Peter Corbett, said, “The loss of this important active would have cost local authorities many hundreds of millions of pounds to replace with alternative means of vegetation control.

 

The industry now needs to take on board the importance of using this active ingredient correctly and in a sustainable manner.

 

Rigby Taylor is working on a product stewardship package for glyphosate, which will include all the elements of best practice. The package will include advice and recommendations for managers, operators and other end users on how to use it correctly. There is also a need to educate the general public on its safety profile."

 

At least for now turf professionals can continue to use this most useful of products in their arsenal.

 

If like Rigby Taylor suggest efforts continue to educate professionals and public alike in its safe usage - and indeed science continues to investigate and ratify its safety - hopefully in five years time when it comes round to renewal again, we wont have to go through this prolonged period of uncertainty.

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In this issue
EDITOR'S BLOG
GLYPHOSATE LICENCE RENEWED
NEWS
ISEKI UK & IRELAND LAUNCHED
BLACKPOOL'S STANLEY PARK TRIUMPHS
IOG RETAINS MATRIX QUALITY STANDARD
KUBOTA UK INVEST £1.2M TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS
JOINT WINNERS FOR INNOVATION AWARD
REESINK TO TAKE TWO STANDS AT BTME IN JANUARY
PING PARTNERS JOHN DEERE
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