legal action against reauthorization

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The day after the announcement by the European Commission of its intention to renew the authorization of glyphosate for ten years, the Toxic Secrets coalition announced its intention to file an action for annulment before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

Toxic Secrets, which brings together dozens of environmental associations including Nature et Progrès France, Campagne Glyphosate France and Générations futures, is supported in its legal approach by several European deputies, notably Benoît Biteau, Michèle Rivasi and Claude Gruffat, members of the Les Écologues party. , and the socialist Christophe Clergeau.

Main angle of attack: the assessments which served as a basis for the Commission’s decision focused on the study of the toxicity of glyphosate, but not on that of the product as a whole, which combines “ coformulants » to form the final herbicide.

“ However, any approval or renewal of an active substance is conditional on the production of proof of the absence of short or long term harmful effects for human health or the environment for at least one “representative formulation”denounces Toxic Secrets. The evaluation report provided by theEFSA (European Food Safety Authority) does not take into account any information on the long-term human health toxicity of the representative formulation. »

Efsa is also criticized for basing its assessment essentially on the very partial studies and data provided by manufacturers, without taking into account the studies carried out by independent academic research. Flaws that the European agency itself recognized, while numerous studies are concerned about the potentially dangerous effects on health of glyphosate-based herbicides.

“ The main barrier for us is the admissibility of the appeal. There CJEU considers admissible only those persons who have a direct interest in the decision rendered. This is why we are forming the broadest possible appeal, with parliamentarians who have a direct interest in ensuring that the law is applied, and direct victims of glyphosate. »explains Guillaume Tumerelle, lawyer for the Toxic Secrets campaign.

The applicants have two months to file their appeal. There CJEU should then not make its decision for a year. As the appeal is not suspensive, glyphosate should continue to be spread in European fields until then.