THIS week the EU postponed the re-authorisation of the controversial toxic substance glyphosate, the world’s most widely used herbicide.

However, this does more than just kill weeds. The World Health Organisation confirmed last year that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic” to humans.

The postponement followed growing rebellion from EU governments.

Italy, France, Sweden and the Netherlands all opposed a new 15-year licence at a meeting which the European Commission had hoped would rubber stamp re-approval.

You will note the absence of the UK from this list. In fact the UK government is a keen supporter of corporate agribusiness and has been leading the charge for de-regulation, for which read: reduction of standards that protect public health.

Indeed former environment secretary, Owen Paterson, was a cheerleader for GM crops. Glyphosate and GM are two sides of the same corporate coin. Agribusiness giant Monsanto produce both Roundup, the world’s leading glyphosate weed killer, and glyphosate resistant GM crops. A marriage of convenience which enables corporate control of food production.

The blocking of re-authorisation of glyphosate is another example of why we are greener in the EU.

As Greens we see the EU as the place where we can battle corporate power most effectively. But as is patently clear, this is something we can only hope to do while the UK remains a member of the EU.

Molly Scott Cato, Green MEP, South West England European Parliament, Brussels

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