The German Government Initiates Steps To Ban Glyphosate

The German Government Initiates Steps To Ban Glyphosate

Introduction

Germany is all set to eliminate the use of glyphosate, one of the main ingredients of Roundup weedkiller, within the next few years. The chemical was recently banned in Austria following its link to cancer.

Glyphosate was licensed through the European Union. On Wednesday, Sept. 4, the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel’s cabinet agreed to ban all the license renewal requests made to the European Union for glyphosate-containing herbicides. The German government has aimed to reduce 75% use of glyphosate weedkiller by 2023, and the chemical will remain legal in the European Union, but farming policies will become greener.

The move was the result of increasing pressure faced by Merkel's government over the environment. The government faced a storm of controversy, just two years ago, when Germany’s agriculture minister voted in favor of extending the use of glyphosate-based weed killers.

Germany’s Cabinet has decided to imply a “systematic reduction strategy” to completely bring down the usage of glyphosate. With this strategy, Germany is confident of eradicating the use of this chemical by 2023. The country will start the mission of glyphosate elimination by prohibiting the use of this chemical in parks, gardens, and agricultural fields.

Austria has recently put a complete ban on the use of glyphosate and they are the first nation to do so. After which, 20 French mayors protested against their government to stop the usage of this weed killer chemical and ultimately got it banned from their municipalities. Glyphosate is restricted for use in the Czech Republic, Italy and Netherlands too. 

The use of glyphosate is common in agriculture. Roundup herbicide was once considered a boon for agricultural fields. It was market king from the mid-70s until 2013 when an email sent by a senior toxicologist from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled some hidden facts about this product.

Farmers in India still have decided to continue with glyphosate usage for their crop field, despite being aware of the toxicity level. Glyphosate is effective for clearing weeds in genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops. 

A decline in pollinating insect species like bees and butterflies was also seen post the usage of the chemical. The ban is part of an insect conservation program from Environment Minister Svenja Schulze.