Conservative MEP will Fight Unwarranted Ban

Anthea McIntyre MEP

Conservative MEP Anthea McIntyre has vowed to fight moves to ban an important herbicide.

The European Parliament will vote in Strasbourg tomorrow on a resolution calling on the EU Commission effectively to ban farmers and others from applying the widely used weed killer glyphosate.

Miss McIntyre, Conservative MEP for the West Midlands, said, ”This product is vital for arable and horticulture crops.  It is also needed for controlling damaging weeds on hard surfaces such as airport runways.

“We must not go banning it on a whim because of misplaced concerns which are not backed by evidence.”

Scientists at the European Food Safety Authority have researched the substance thoroughly and found that glyphosate poses no unacceptable risk when used appropriately and is unlikely to pose a hazard to humans.

Based on that advice, the EU Commission is proposing to renew authorisation, which is due to expire on June 30.  However, MEPs on the Environment Committee passed a resolution objecting to the approval of glyphosate, leading to this week’s vote of the full parliament.

Miss McIntyre added, ”Conservatives will be opposing this attempt to bring in a ban by the back door.  The parliament should have no part in this decision to renew the permit.

“We cannot allow a few over-zealous MEPs to side line science.  Our famers need these products to protect their crops and put food on our tables.  They do not need unwarranted interference from people who care very little for agriculture and even less for science.”