European farming group Copa Cogeca claims it is 'unacceptable' that the European Union Appeal Committee has not given an opinion to reauthorize glyphosate.

Member States recently voted on the proposal of extending the current approval of glyphosate for a limited period of time, until further opinion on the substance is given the European Agency for Chemical Products (ECHA).

However, once again there was no qualified majority in favor or against the proposal for a 12 to 18 month extension to the current license, which expires on June 30.

"This vote followed a previous one by Member States at the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed on June 6," says a Commission spokesperson in a statement sent to www.freshfruitportal.com.

"The Commission regrets that no decision could be taken by the Member States, in spite of its efforts over recent weeks to accommodate requests and concerns from a number of national governments, as well as from the European Parliament."

On Monday, Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis informed the College about the latest results of the Appeal Committee and is to discuss the next steps.

Previously, he has told member states to take their own responsibilities and not to 'hide behind the Commission'.

The EU license for glyphosate is due to expire at the end of this month and there continues to be split opinion across Europe.

Copa Cogeca general secretary Pekka Pesonen has expressed his disappointment at the lack of progress on this important dossier.

"It’s unacceptable that the EU is not following the scientific advice of its own European Food Safety Authority's which have a positive assessment of this product," he says.

"The EU institutions and Member States have the responsibility to build consumer trust in our high food safety standards by supporting the role of EFSA.

"We urge the European Commission to approve it, as the expiry date for the active substance is June 30."

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