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German government squabbling could see the world’s best-selling weedkiller off the shelves, force farmers to scramble for alternatives and land the European Commission in court.
It’s all part of a row over glyphosate . . . .
Its license for use in Europe is up for renewal but environmental groups want it banned after seizing on comments from a World Health Organization panel report that suggested it is a “probable” cause of cancer.
. . . .
Glyphosate’s EU authorization expires on June 30. . . . After fights with the European Parliament, . . . officials came up with a last-ditch compromise — a one- to two-year renewal period.
But hours before member countries had to submit a response to the European Commission’s plan, Germany’s environment minister issued a statement making her position clear.
“NEIN,” began a long statement issued on [May 24] by Barbara Hendricks, a member of the Social Democratic Party [SDP]. . .
. . . .
. . . . If . . . glyphosate is banned, the Commission’s fear is a multi-million euro lawsuit from industry.
German Agriculture Minister Christian Schmidt, of the Christian Social Union. . . backs the renewal and accused the SPD of putting politics over science.
Read full, original post: How German politics pushed Roundup into the weeds