WRITTEN QUESTION E-0034/00

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(19 January 2000)

Subject: The effect of glyphosate on the environment and biodiversity

Will the Commission outline the research which has been carried out to date concerning the effects of the chemical glyphosate on the environment and on biodiversity?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 2000)

Glyphosate is a plant protection product currently being evaluated in the framework of the first review programme of existing active substances undertaken under Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3600/92 of 11 December 1992 laying down the detailed rules for the implementation of the first stage of the programme of work referred to in Article 8(2) of Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market(1). The objective of the evaluation is to determine whether it can be included in a positive list of active substances (Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 on the placing of plant protection products on the market(2)) that can be used in plant protection products in the Community. The Regulation provided that the notifiers should submit all the information required by the Directive. This includes information on effects on the environment. The information had to be submitted before 30 April 1995, to the rapporteur Member State (RMS) (for glyphosate, the RMS is Germany). Any interested party could also submit by that date technical or scientific information with regard to the potentially dangerous effects of the substance or its residues on human and animal health and on the environment. The rapporteur Member State reviewed all information submitted for glyphosate and prepared a draft assessment report (monograph) on it. This was submitted on 1 February 1999 to the Commission and the other Member States.

According to the usual procedures provided in the Regulation, the monograph was immediately forwarded for an expert consultation (peer-review) with specialised experts from five Member States to examine in detail all areas of human health and environmental safety. Data gaps were identified and new data was requested, supplied and reviewed. The process also allowed that any other relevant new information be taken into consideration or be considered during further discussions with all Member States in the framework of the standing committee on plant health and its working groups. The monograph and the results of the peer-review for glyphosate will be discussed by all Member States in the evaluation working group of the standing committee on plant health. Depending on the outcome of the discussions the Commission will submit a draft decision to the standing committee on plant health after consultation of the scientific committee on plants.

Moreover, when a decision is taken, a review report with the most important information (overall conclusion, particular use or risk management conditions, major endpoints on identity, physico-chemistry, toxicology and environment) is made publicly available.

The Commission has also co-financed under the second and third framework programmes for research and technical development (RTD) two projects dealing with glyphosate. In one project the interaction of humic acids and glyphosate was examined in three field sites under long term monocultures (hops, vineyard, citrus). Another project aimed to assess the soil and water quality as affected by glyphosate under three different tillage systems. The results of these projects are available at the Research Directorate general.

(1) OJ L 366, 15.12.1992.

(2) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991.