The French Ecology Minister, Nicolas Hulot, confirmed last week that the French government would vote against the European Commission’s proposal to re-license glyphosate for an additional 10 years. He told a reporter in Rennes last week that this decision was due to “uncertainties” about the safety of the widely used herbicide ingredient.

“France’s decision to oppose the reauthorisation goes against numerous government agencies around the world including EFSA and ECHA that conclude the product is safe,” said Anne Kolton from the American Chemistry Council.

A vote is scheduled for early October. It is expected that Germany will formally announce its position on the renewal of glyphosate after the federal election this month.