Monsanto's Fate In Austria: Banned Or Business As Usual?

Monsanto, the agribusiness giant, has been mired in controversy over its widely used herbicides, with some countries even calling for a ban on the company's operations. In Austria, there has been an attempt to prohibit the sale of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup weedkiller, due to health concerns. However, this effort was ultimately unsuccessful. While Austria has not banned Monsanto as a company, the European Parliament took a significant step in 2017 by barring Monsanto lobbyists from its premises and interactions with MEPs due to the company's refusal to attend a hearing on allegations of regulatory interference. This action sent a strong message about the importance of democratic processes and accountability, especially as Monsanto faced accusations of influencing safety studies related to its products.

Monsanto has not been banned in Austria

Glyphosate, an active ingredient in Monsanto's herbicide Roundup, has been deemed "probably carcinogenic to humans" by the World Health Organization. This has led to a wave of lawsuits in the US, with California leading the charge against the company. Despite this, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruled in 2019 that glyphosate was "not likely to be carcinogenic to humans". This ruling is echoed by the health agency of agriculture powerhouse Brazil, which also concluded in 2019 that glyphosate presented no risk to human health.

In Europe, the reception of glyphosate has been mixed. While the European Commission proposed to authorize its use for another 10 years in the EU after a report found no reason to block it, individual countries have tried to curb its use. France, the Netherlands, and Belgium have banned glyphosate for household use, while Germany has banned it in public spaces and plans a total ban by the end of 2023. Austria and Luxembourg have also attempted to ban glyphosate but have been unsuccessful so far.

The controversy surrounding Monsanto and its products has led to a ban on its lobbyists from entering the European Parliament. This decision was made after the company refused to attend a hearing into allegations that it unduly influenced studies into the safety of glyphosate. As a result, Monsanto officials are unable to meet with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) or attend parliamentary inquiries.

Glyphosate, an active ingredient in Monsanto's herbicide, has been deemed probably carcinogenic to humans

In 2015, the World Health Organization's cancer agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), reviewed glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto's herbicide Roundup. The IARC classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2A). This classification was based on "limited" evidence of cancer in humans and "sufficient" evidence of cancer in experimental animals. The IARC's conclusion contradicted that of other regulatory agencies, including the European Food Safety Authority and the Environmental Protection Agency, which have deemed glyphosate safe for human use.

The IARC's assessment of glyphosate has had far-reaching implications. It has sparked international disputes and multi-million-dollar lawsuits against Monsanto, particularly in the United States, where the company faces multiple legal claims from plaintiffs who allege that glyphosate caused their cancer. The IARC's classification of glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen has also influenced the European Union's decision-making regarding the relicensing of glyphosate, with France advocating for a ban on the herbicide.

The controversy surrounding glyphosate is not limited to health concerns but also extends to Monsanto's conduct. In 2017, Monsanto was banned from the European Parliament after refusing to attend a hearing into allegations that it interfered with safety studies on glyphosate. This ban prevented Monsanto lobbyists from meeting MEPs and accessing parliamentary resources.

While glyphosate remains a divisive issue, with some countries restricting or banning its use, others, like Germany, are moving towards a total ban. The ongoing debate underscores the need for further research and a consensus in the scientific and regulatory communities to ascertain the true magnitude of glyphosate's health risks.

Monsanto was banned from the European Parliament in 2017

Monsanto, the agribusiness giant, has been mired in controversy over its widely used herbicides. In September 2017, the European Parliament banned Monsanto lobbyists from its premises after the company refused to attend a hearing. The hearing was organised by the environment and agriculture committees to investigate allegations that Monsanto interfered with safety studies on glyphosate, the key ingredient in its Roundup weedkiller.

Monsanto representatives were invited to an event on 11 October, which was expected to hear allegations that the company exerted undue influence over regulatory studies. However, Monsanto decided not to attend, prompting anger from Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). This was the first instance of MEPs using their powers to block access to companies that ignore summons to give evidence.

As a result of the ban, Monsanto officials were barred from meeting MEPs, attending committee meetings, or using digital resources in the European Parliament's premises in Brussels or Strasbourg. The ban was supported by the leaders of all major parliamentary blocks and was expected to be effective immediately, according to a spokesman for the parliament's president, Antonio Tajani.

In a statement, the Green party president Philippe Lamberts asserted the importance of democratic control, stating that "US corporations must also accept the democratic control function of the parliament. Monsanto cannot escape this." The ban came at a critical time for Monsanto, as the EU was soon to decide on the relicensing of glyphosate, which has been linked to increased cancer rates.

While Monsanto itself has not been banned in Austria or any other country, its products, particularly glyphosate, have faced restrictions or bans in several countries and regions. Glyphosate has been deemed "probably carcinogenic to humans" by the World Health Organization, although this is contested by other regulatory bodies. Austria, along with Luxembourg, tried but failed to implement a ban on glyphosate. Germany, on the other hand, has banned glyphosate in public spaces and plans for a total ban.

Monsanto was banned from the European Parliament for refusing to attend a hearing into allegations of regulatory interference

Monsanto has not been banned in Austria. However, in 2017, the European Parliament banned Monsanto lobbyists after the company refused to attend a hearing into allegations of regulatory interference.

Monsanto, a US agrichemical giant, produces the controversial weedkiller, Roundup, which contains glyphosate. In 2015, the World Health Organization's cancer agency stated that glyphosate was "probably carcinogenic". Despite this, the European Commission proposed to authorise its use for another ten years in the EU after a report found no reason to block it.

In 2017, the European Parliament summoned Monsanto to a hearing organised by the environment and agriculture committees, with academics, regulators, and campaigners, to discuss allegations that the company had exerted undue influence over regulatory studies into the safety of glyphosate. Monsanto refused to attend the hearing, stating in a letter to MEPs that the European Parliament was not an appropriate forum for such discussions.

In response, the European Parliament banned Monsanto lobbyists from meeting MEPs and attending parliamentary inquiries. This was the first time MEPs had used their powers to block access for companies that ignored summons to give evidence. A spokesman for the parliament's president, Antonio Tajani, stated that the ban was effective immediately, and it was supported by the leaders of all major parliamentary blocks.

The Green Party president, Philippe Lamberts, commented: "Those who ignore the rules of democracy also lose their rights as a lobbyist in the European Parliament. US corporations must also accept the democratic control function of the parliament. Monsanto cannot escape this."

The ban meant Monsanto lobbyists could no longer meet MEPs or attend parliamentary inquiries

Monsanto has not been banned in Austria, despite claims on social media. However, in 2017, the European Parliament banned Monsanto lobbyists from entering the premises in Brussels or Strasbourg after the company refused to attend a hearing into allegations that it interfered with safety studies. This meant that Monsanto representatives could no longer meet Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) or attend parliamentary inquiries.

Monsanto, a US agrichemical giant, produces the controversial weedkiller Roundup, which contains glyphosate. In 2015, the World Health Organization's cancer agency stated that glyphosate was "probably carcinogenic". Despite this, the product has been deemed safe by several countries and authorities, including the US Environmental Protection Agency in 2019, and the health agency of agriculture powerhouse Brazil in the same year.

In 2017, Monsanto was facing a battle to renew its EU licence to sell Roundup, with a decision expected in November of that year. The European Parliament's ban on Monsanto lobbyists was a response to the company's refusal to attend a hearing organised by the environment and agriculture committees on October 11. The hearing was due to hear allegations that Monsanto had exerted undue influence over regulatory studies into the safety of glyphosate.

The Green Party president, Philippe Lamberts, stated: "Those who ignore the rules of democracy also lose their rights as a lobbyist in the European Parliament. US corporations must also accept the democratic control function of the parliament. Monsanto cannot escape this."

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