WRITTEN QUESTION E-2091/99 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Reports concerning the carcinogenic risks of Roundup.
Date: 1999-11-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, European social policy, animal health, environmental impact, health policy, health risk, plant health product

18.7.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 203 E/133

dialogue between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese authorities. The Commission for its part remains
determined to promote cooperation projects of direct benefit to the local population in Tibet. The situation
of Tibetan political prisoners has also been brought up by the Commission on a number of occasions,
most notably at the last meeting of the EU-China dialogue on human rights in Beijing on 19 October.

The Commission believes that this approach to the Tibetan problem is the most appropriate one at
present.

(2000/C 203 E/169)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2091/99

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 November 1999)

Subject: Reports concerning the carcinogenic risks of Roundup

Is the Commission aware that a press report (in the Berliner Zeitung) indicates that the Commission

1.
has been given evidence that Monsanto(cid:146)s genetically engineered Roundup causes cancer?

Can the Commission provide evidence that Roundup poses no risks to humans, animals or the

2.
environment?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Glyphosate, the active substance contained in the plant protection product Round-up, is currently under
evaluation in the framework of the first review programme of existing active substances undertaken under
Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3600/2 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 draft evaluation
report on glyphosate was submitted by the rapporteur Member State, Germany, on 1 February 1999 to the
Commission and the Member States.

According to the usual procedures provided in Regulation (EEC) No 3600/92 the draft report was
immediately forwarded for expert consultation (peer review) with specialised experts from five Member
States to examine in detail the draft report in all areas of human health and environmental safety (physico-
chemical properties, toxicology, residues, ecotoxicology, fate and behaviour in the environment).

Notifiers were informed that certain data were necessary to finalise the risk assessment. In particular when
during the evaluation laboratory studies raise concerns, notifiers have to provide evidence that such
concerns do not appear under appropriate field conditions. For glyphosate most of this information should
be available within the coming months.

Final results from the peer review will be discussed with the 15 Member States within the framework of
the standing committee on plant health. Before a decision is taken by the Commission, the scientific
committee on plants will be consulted.

In any case, as provided in Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant
protection products on the market (2), the Commission will only include glyphosate in Annex I to the
Directive if it has been demonstrated that there are no harmful effects on human or animal health or on
groundwater or any unacceptable influence on the environment.

(1) OJ L 366, 15.12.1992.
(2) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991.