A study commissioned by the Greens and the EFA Group in the EU Parliament into the potential pollution of water bodies in the EU actually found traces of the herbicide or its breakdown product in 11 of the 12 Member States surveyed. One of the four highest levels of the glyphosate breakdown product AMPA was measured in the Mühlbach in Deutsch-Wagram!
For the study, PAN Europe (Pesticide Action Network) collected water samples from 23 watercourses (rivers/streams) and five lakes. Five of the 23 samples (22 percent) collected in Austria, Spain, Poland and Portugal contained glyphosate at levels above the human consumption limit of 0.1 μg/L. When we consider both glyphosate and AMPA, this threshold was exceeded in 44 percent (ten of 23).
The background of the investigation is the possible reapproval of glyphosate in the European Union. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recognizes this uncritically in its latest review. The member states are expected to vote on this in October. The approval of glyphosate in the EU runs until December 15, 2023.
Greens: “Degradation products have no limit values”
MEP Sarah Wiener (Greens) saw the presentation of the study results as an opportunity to warn of the dangers that a comprehensive approval would entail: “The weed killer not only has an impact on water and soil, but also on the ecosystem from people. We cannot take that risk.” Glyphosate causes damage and causes disease. The environmental pollution with toxins is “higher than we assume, because degradation products are normally not investigated and therefore have no limit values”. It would therefore be “deeply negligent” to continue to allow the pesticide.
‘Long-term effects are weak points of the studies’
According to her German parliamentary colleague Martin Häusling, most studies would recommend readmission. But the “long-term effects on ecosystems are the weak points of the studies”. With increasing storms, contaminated soil washes into the water. Soil fertility deteriorates if glyphosate has been used for years. All this is “not taken into account” in the reassessment.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
