After the failed attempt by France and Austria, Luxembourg tries: the country wants to ban the use of glyphosate starting from 1 January 2021
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himIl Luxembourg is preparing to ban the use of glyphosate in agriculture and thus become the first European country free from this dangerous herbicide.
The news is announced by the Minister of Agriculture, Romain Schneider, promising one gradual reduction of the use of glyphosate in the coming months to arrive at a total ban on the pesticide throughout the national territory starting from 1 January 2021.
The steps that will lead Luxembourg to get rid of glyphosate provide for the initial withdrawal of the marketing authorization of plant protection products containing the active ingredient from 1 February 2020. Until 30 June the use of glyphosate will then be granted to allow farmers to run out of stocks of the product. A final grace period for the use of glyphosate will follow until 31 December, after which the ban will take effect.
Already in 2018, the Luxembourg government had declared its intention to ban the use of glyphosate and offered a subsidy to companies willing to give up to the herbicide. Over half of the country's farmers have applied to receive this subsidy, demonstrating their willingness to replace glyphosate with less dangerous remedies that have an impact on human health and the environment.
Viewed the enthusiasm of farmers, and particularly of winemakers, who are voluntarily renouncing the use of glyphosate, the government sees no reason not to ban this controversial herbicide with the aim of significantly reducing the use of all pesticides deemed harmful for the environment or for human health, in accordance with the NAP, the National Action Plan for the reduction of plant protection products.
Indeed, the NAP aims to reduce the use of plant protection products by 50% by 2030: Schneider is convinced that banning glyphosate is a decisive step towards a sustainable, modern and ecological approach in agriculture.
After the failure of other countries, including France and Austria, which had announced a ban on the use of the dangerous pesticide and then backtracked, now it is Luxembourg that is trying to get rid of glyphosate and become the first glyphosate-free country in the 'Union.
According to Schneider, this decision it may lead other European countries to take similar measures, anticipating the entry into force of the European ban, scheduled for 15 December 2022
Read also:
- Austria changes its mind: it will not ban glyphosate from 2020
- France: now glyphosate can be used even 5 meters from homes
- Glyphosate: Europe allows individual states to ban! The petition
