The EU will extend for 10 years authorisation for the use of glyphosate, the European Commission said on Thursday, exercising its default power after member states failed to agree.

The European Commission said it would renew the approval of the weedkiller ingredient subject to new conditions and restrictions, a decision it said was based on safety assessments by EU food and chemicals agencies.

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup weedkiller owned by German chemical firm Bayer, which faces thousands of cancer lawsuits in the US.

The Commission had proposed extending the authorisation and asked for approval from the bloc’s member states.

But the 27 capitals today again failed to achieve a qualified majority either to block or support the extension, prompting the Commission to immediately decide on extending ahead of the expiry of the current interim one-year authorisation on Dec. 15.

Green lawmakers and environmental campaigners were alarmed by the move, noting mounting scientific opinion on glyphosate’s probable harm to humans and the environment.

“There are major gaps in the available data when it comes to the impact on people and animals, and there are clear risks associated with different forms of use,” said Greens MEP Bas Eickhout.

He noted that the Commission was ignoring the bloc’s precautionary principle and the “rightful” concerns of many European citizens.

“We should not gamble with our biodiversity and public health like this,” he added.

By Ben Garside – ben@carbon-pulse.com