Wednesday, September 8th, 2021
Stricter regulations
Glyphosate is only allowed to a limited extent
The use of the weed killer glyphosate is now significantly restricted. In future, it will be prohibited to use it directly before harvest, in nature reserves and biotopes. There are still a few exceptions. Federal Environment Minister Schulze is nevertheless satisfied.
From now on, the herbicide glyphosate may only be used to a limited extent in Germany. With the Plant Protection Application Ordinance, restrictions and bans on the use of the agent came into force, as a spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture announced. The use of glyphosate directly before harvest, in water protection areas, mineral spring protection areas and core and maintenance zones of biosphere reserves is prohibited. There is also a ban in nature reserves, national parks and legally protected biotopes, as well as grassland and forest in special protected areas.
Exceptions apply to the use of arable land and grassland that is not in such protected areas. For example, glyphosate can continue to be used on “erosion-prone areas” or when “problematic weeds” are to be controlled. Restricted use will also be possible in other areas. For houses, allotment gardens, parks and playgrounds and sports fields, a “ban on use” now applies, but glyphosate-containing agents that are already approved for these areas of application may continue to be used there. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture was initially unable to say how many there are.
New approvals are not granted
The ministry emphasized that this exemption was “legally inevitable”. New approvals for agents containing glyphosate for the named areas of application would not be granted. SPD Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze expressed satisfaction with the innovations. “Glyphosate kills everything that is green and thus deprives insects of their livelihood. That is why this phase-out is a great success,” wrote Schulze in a statement. The Plant Protection Application Ordinance passed the Federal Council at the end of June after weeks of coalition disputes and conflicts with farmers.
A national total ban on glyphosate is not possible under European law, as the active ingredient is still approved throughout the EU until the end of 2022. According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, plant protection products containing glyphosate are permitted throughout the EU until December 31, 2023 with a transition period.
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