Malta has a change of heart and opposes ‘probable carcinogenic’ pesticide

Malta was to abstain in vote on use of glyphosate for use in pesticides but has now decided to vote against

The Maltese government has had a change of heart and will now oppose the use of glyphosate in pesticides.

Glphosate is considered as a “probable human carcinogen” and its licensing is regulated by the Comitology rules.

The licences are due to expire at the end of June and the European Commission has to decide whether such licences should be renewed or not.

The Commission subsequently referred the matter to the Standing Committee on Plant Protection Products.

“In the absence of scientific consensus regarding glyphosate, Malta’s original position was to abstain and recommended the possibility of implementing more stringent conditions in the licensing regimes at a national level,” a spokesperson for Environment Minister José Herrera said in a statement.

“Today, however, the Government has decided to further apply the precautionary principle and, therefore, Malta should vote against the renewal of such licences.”

According to the spokesperson, Herrera has now directed the competent national authority to inform the Commission accordingly.

“For the Maltese Government, environmental issues are definitely a priority,” the Ministry for the Environment said.