The European Commission has extended authorization for glyphosate for another 18 months, an action supported by soy growers in the U.S.  However, Richard Wilkins, President of the American Soybean Association, notes that the announcement is only a temporary solution, and that American farmers are still searching for more certainty in the European marketplace.

“An 18-month extension gives U.S. farmers and exporters the assurance that they will at least have access to the European market for that period of time. Clearly that’s not the certainty the industry needs, but it’s better than nothing,” Wilkins states.

“That said, we are still extraordinarily frustrated by the unscientific approach in the EU. Remember, the European Food Safety Authority found that glyphosate is safe. Given this repeatedly proven fact, it’s a relief that the Commission decided to step in and issue this reauthorization, even after the Council of Ministers was unable to find the support among its members to affirm the EFSA finding. Continued progress is needed, however. A logical and welcomed next step will be for the EU to finalize approval of the three pending biotech varieties. With that approval, our farmers can move forward with the certainty they need.”