WRITTEN QUESTION E-2091/99 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Reports concerning the carcinogenic risks of Roundup.
18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/133 dialogue between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese authorities. The Commission for its part remains determined to promote cooperation projects of direct benefit to the local population in Tibet. The situation of Tibetan political prisoners has also been brought up by the Commission on a number of occasions, most notably at the last meeting of the EU-China dialogue on human rights in Beijing on 19 October. The Commission believes that this approach to the Tibetan problem is the most appropriate one at present. (2000/C 203 E/169) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2091/99 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (19 November 1999) Subject: Reports concerning the carcinogenic risks of Roundup Is the Commission aware that a press report (in the Berliner Zeitung) indicates that the Commission 1. has been given evidence that Monsantoís genetically engineered Roundup causes cancer? Can the Commission provide evidence that Roundup poses no risks to humans, animals or the 2. environment? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (16 December 1999) Glyphosate, the active substance contained in the plant protection product Round-up, is currently under evaluation in the framework of the first review programme of existing active substances undertaken under Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3600/2 of 11 December 1992 laying down the detailed rules for the implementation of the first stage of the programme of work referred to in Article 8(2) of Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (1). The draft evaluation report on glyphosate was submitted by the rapporteur Member State, Germany, on 1 February 1999 to the Commission and the Member States. According to the usual procedures provided in Regulation (EEC) No 3600/92 the draft report was immediately forwarded for expert consultation (peer review) with specialised experts from five Member States to examine in detail the draft report in all areas of human health and environmental safety (physico- chemical properties, toxicology, residues, ecotoxicology, fate and behaviour in the environment). Notifiers were informed that certain data were necessary to finalise the risk assessment. In particular when during the evaluation laboratory studies raise concerns, notifiers have to provide evidence that such concerns do not appear under appropriate field conditions. For glyphosate most of this information should be available within the coming months. Final results from the peer review will be discussed with the 15 Member States within the framework of the standing committee on plant health. Before a decision is taken by the Commission, the scientific committee on plants will be consulted. In any case, as provided in Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (2), the Commission will only include glyphosate in Annex I to the Directive if it has been demonstrated that there are no harmful effects on human or animal health or on groundwater or any unacceptable influence on the environment. (1) OJ L 366, 15. 12. 1992. (2) OJ L 230, 19. 8. 1991