Policy Dialogue: Can Glyphosate play a role in achieving greater biodiversity?
04-11-2021
WATCH THE RECORDING HERE
The question of how to achieve sustainable agriculture and a balanced relationship between the environment, farmers and consumers is more and more pressing. Biodiversity is one key player closely linked to and influenced by this relationship, as well as by agricultural practices and production.
Technological solutions are needed for ensuring sustainable agriculture and can contribute to greater biodiversity. One of these solutions is glyphosate, a herbicide used for weed control in the EU. The European Commission granted a five-year approval for glyphosate in 2017 and it is currently approved for use until 15 December 2022.
Recently, the competent national authorities of the four Member States (France, The Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary) of the Assessment Group on Glyphosate (AGG), concluded the draft Scientific Report on the Assessment of the Renewal (RAR). Consequently, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) opened public consultations on 24 September which will remain open for 60 days. All interested parties are encouraged to contribute to the consultations by submitting relevant comments or scientific information and data.
Join this EURACTIV policy dialogue to discuss with agriculture experts how biodiversity was addressed in the Scientific Report on the Assessment of the Renewal, glyphosate’s role in agricultural practices, and whether and how it can contribute to greater biodiversity.
WATCH THE RECORDING HERE
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Location
Online
Panellists
Dr. Jana Epperlein, Soil Scientist and Agricultural Engineer, Society for Conservation Tillage (GKB) e.V.
Dr. Simon Jeffery, Reader in Soil Ecology at Harper Adams University
Dr. Virginie Ducrot, Environmental safety, Bayer (a GRG member)
Moderator
Brian Maguire, Journalist, EURACTIV
Schedule
14:30 - 16:00
Welcome
Panellist statements
Discussion and Q&A
Closing statements
Contact
Ana Alexandrescu
ana.alexandrescu@euractiv.com
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Related article
Glyphosate approval: stakeholders squabble over who has the science right
As the EU considers renewing its approval for the controversial herbicide glyphosate, the industry is defending the assessment procedure while environmental campaigners have denounced it for not being based on “sound science”.