The European Commission has decided to temporarily extend the authorization of glyphosate for 18 months, but Monsanto has attacked member states' 'politics of self-interest'.

Glyphosate is a key ingredient in the U.S.-based company's Roundup herbicide.

European Union Member States recently voted on the proposal of extending the current approval, but there was no qualified majority for or against the proposal.

In response to the Commission's decision, Monsanto’s vice president  Dr. Philip W. Miller expressed disappointment and slammed member states for failing to reach a decision.

"[The] decision by the European Commission to temporarily extend glyphosate’s authorization by 18 months ensures that European farmers, municipalities, gardeners and other users will continue to have access to the herbicide glyphosate while a longer-term solution to the product’s reauthorisation is found," he says.

"European farmers, municipalities, gardeners and other users have depended on glyphosate for 40 years as a safe, efficient and cost-effective tool for weed control. Glyphosate meets or exceeds all requirements for renewal under European law and regulation.

"The overwhelming majority of scientific evidence and the EU’s own regulatory agencies have declared glyphosate safe for use."

The European Commission stepped in today to extend the approval of glyphosate for a limited period, until the European Agency for Chemical Products (ECHA) issues its opinion by the end of next year, after several rounds of non-commitment by member states.

Miller also speaks directly about the fact that member states have repeatedly failed to come to a qualified majority in favor or against the proposal for a 12 to 18 months extension to the current license which expires on June 30, 2016.

"We join European farmers and other users in expressing concern over the recent rise of narrowly-focused politics of self interest, where national or partisan political imperatives take precedence over facts, scientific understanding and the interests of its citizens," he said.

"Monsanto urges the European Commission to present without further undue delays a proposal for a full renewal under the regulatory framework.

"Over the coming months, we will be engaging with member states and other stakeholders involved in this process to understand their concerns, answers their questions and share more information about glyphosate’s long history of safe use.”

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