ABSTRACT
Renewing the authorisation of glyphosate by European Commission in 2017 has been a highly controversial issue in the European Union (EU). This chapter examines specific case of the renewal authorisation procedure of glyphosate and highlights two particular aspects of such procedure, namely the role that the science has played in it and the responsibility of the Member States in the regulatory framework governing the authorisation and the use of pesticides in the EU. In June 2016, following a ‘no opinion’ outcome in both the standing and the Appeal committees, the EC extended the approval of glyphosate for the third time, until 31 December 2017. Glyphosate is an active substance used in many plant protection products to combat weeds that compete with cultivated crops or present problems for other reasons. The scientific opinions of both European Food and Safety Authority and European Chemicals Agency have had a pivotal role in the renewal of the-authorisation of glyphosate.
