glyphosate a never ending story: Health effects and legal consequences of use

In November 2017, the active ingredient glyphosate was reapproved in the European Union for another five years. However, the road to this approval was rocky, as member states were initially divided on whether glyphosate should continue to be used, since studies and available assessments did not provide 100 per cent clarity on whether glyphosate is carcinogenic or not. Despite EU-wide approval, however, member states have sufficient opportunities to restrict or completely ban the use of glyphosate in their territories. This is based on the legally enshrined precautionary principle. Potential risks to human health and the environment should be avoided in advance by taking appropriate measures. The example of Austria shows that a wide range of domestic measures have already been taken to avoid harmful effects on health and the environment and thus comply with the precautionary principle.