Monsanto's Troubles In Austria: A Ban And Its Repercussions

Monsanto, the agribusiness giant, has been mired in controversy over its widely used herbicides, with its weedkiller glyphosate dividing the scientific and health community. While Monsanto has not been banned in Austria, the company has faced backlash and legal challenges in several countries due to concerns over the safety of its products. In 2017, the European Parliament banned Monsanto lobbyists after the company refused to attend a hearing into allegations of regulatory interference, marking the first time MEPs used their powers to block access for companies ignoring summons.

Monsanto banned from the European Parliament

Monsanto lobbyists have been banned from the European Parliament after the multinational company refused to attend a hearing into allegations of regulatory interference. The agrochemical giant was accused of exerting undue influence over studies about the safety of glyphosate, the key ingredient in Monsanto's controversial Roundup weedkiller.

In response to the ban, a spokesman for the parliament's president, Antonio Tajani, stated that the ban was effective immediately. The Green Party president, Philippe Lamberts, emphasised that Monsanto must accept the democratic control function of the parliament, stating:

> "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."

Monsanto representatives are now banned from meeting MEPs and attending parliamentary inquiries. This is the first time MEPs have used their powers to block access to companies that ignore summons to give evidence.

While Monsanto no longer exists under its original name since it was acquired by Bayer in 2018, the controversy surrounding glyphosate and Roundup continues. Glyphosate has been deemed "probably carcinogenic to humans" by the World Health Organization, although other regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, have stated that it has "low toxicity for people."

The debate surrounding glyphosate and Roundup has led to varying decisions worldwide. While some countries have implemented bans or restrictions on glyphosate, others continue to approve its use.

Austria tried but failed to ban glyphosate

Austria has tried to ban glyphosate, a substance that has long been disputed in Europe and beyond. Glyphosate is one of the world's most popular weedkillers and is the active ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup herbicide. In 2015, the World Health Organization's cancer agency said that glyphosate was "probably carcinogenic". This has sparked controversy and led to a wave of lawsuits against Monsanto in the United States. Despite this, the European Commission proposed to authorize its use for another 10 years in the EU after a report found there was no reason to block it.

Austria's lawmakers voted in July 2024 to ban glyphosate, but this decision was blocked due to a legal technicality. Interim Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein informed the parliament that she wouldn't promulgate the legislation because the European Union regulations required the EU's executive commission to be notified of the draft law, which did not happen. Bierlein stressed that her decision was based solely on legal issues and did not reflect her opinion on the glyphosate ban itself.

This was not the first time Austria had tried to ban glyphosate. There had been two unsuccessful attempts within the past two years to implement a total ban. However, these efforts were thwarted by the EU Commission. In response, the Austrian parliament voted unanimously on a partial ban, amending the Austrian pesticide law to prohibit the use of glyphosate in "sensitive" areas and for private use. Professional use, including most agricultural applications, remains permitted.

The debate over glyphosate in Austria reflects a broader controversy surrounding the substance in the EU. While some countries, like France, the Netherlands, and Belgium, have restricted its use for household purposes, others, like Germany, have gone further by banning it in public spaces and planning for a total ban. The EU's decision to extend the authorization of glyphosate in 2017 highlighted the ongoing disagreement among member states, with Austria and Luxembourg also attempting but failing to ban the substance.

Monsanto's owner Bayer not banned in any country

Monsanto is an American agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology company founded in 1901 and headquartered in Missouri. It was acquired by Bayer, a German chemical company, in 2018 for $66 billion. Monsanto has been mired in controversies due to its roles in agricultural changes, biotechnology products, lobbying of government agencies, and history as a chemical company.

In 2017, Monsanto was banned from the European Parliament after it refused to attend a hearing into allegations of regulatory interference. However, this ban does not extend to Bayer, Monsanto's parent company. While Bayer has faced significant financial and reputational damage due to its acquisition of Monsanto, it has not been banned in any country.

Monsanto's best-known product is Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide linked to increased cancer rates. In 2015, the World Health Organization's cancer agency stated that glyphosate was "probably carcinogenic". This has led to lawsuits and bans or restrictions on the use of glyphosate in several countries. For example, California has led the charge against Monsanto in the US, with several cities and counties banning or restricting glyphosate.

Despite the controversies and lawsuits surrounding glyphosate, it is still authorized for use in the EU. While individual countries like France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany have restricted its use, none have banned Bayer as a company.

In summary, while Monsanto and its products have faced bans and restrictions, its owner Bayer has not been banned in any country. Bayer continues to operate and defend its products, although it has had to pay out billions of dollars in legal settlements related to Monsanto's glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup.

Monsanto's glyphosate-based herbicide linked to cancer

Monsanto's glyphosate-based herbicide, Roundup, has been linked to cancer in humans. In 2015, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans". This conclusion was based on a review of published and peer-reviewed scientific studies, which found a particular association between glyphosate and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The link between Roundup and cancer has sparked a wave of lawsuits against Monsanto, with more than 100,000 people suing the company, alleging that exposure to the herbicide caused them to develop non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In 2019, a federal jury ordered Monsanto to pay $80 million to a 70-year-old man with cancer who had used Roundup for three decades. Bayer AG, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, has denied the claims but has paid out billions of dollars in settlements.

The scientific literature and regulatory conclusions regarding the link between glyphosate and cancer are mixed, with some studies deeming it safe for public use. Monsanto's owner, Bayer AG, maintains that glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides are safe when used as directed and do not cause cancer. The company has submitted more than 800 studies to regulatory agencies suggesting glyphosate is safe.

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has repeatedly ruled that glyphosate is "not likely to be carcinogenic to humans". However, the EPA's conclusions have been disputed, with some scientists finding that the agency erred in its evaluation of certain research. Additionally, internal Monsanto documents revealed that the company used tactics over decades to manipulate the scientific record on glyphosate, and that regulatory agencies relied on poorly conducted studies and insufficient data.

In Europe, the European Food Safety Authority and the European Chemicals Agency have also concluded that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans. However, this finding has been controversial, with reports that regulators relied on research directed and manipulated by the chemical industry, including studies with sections plagiarized from Monsanto.

While Austria and Luxembourg have tried to ban glyphosate, they have been unsuccessful. However, individual countries within Europe have taken steps 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.

The debate over the safety of glyphosate continues, with growing concerns about its potential impact on human health and the environment.

Monsanto's lobbying in Brussels costs £260,000-£350,000 annually

Monsanto has been banned from the European Parliament after allegations that it interfered with safety studies and unduly influenced regulatory studies into the safety of glyphosate, the key ingredient in its best-selling RoundUp weedkiller. The ban means that Monsanto representatives are no longer allowed to meet with MEPs, attend committee meetings, or use digital resources on parliament premises in Brussels or Strasbourg. This is the first time that MEPs have used their powers to block access for companies that ignore summons to give evidence.

Monsanto's lobbying efforts in Brussels are significant, with the company spending between £260,000 and £350,000 annually on lobbying in the city, according to its self-declaration form in the EU transparency register. This amount of spending reflects the importance that Monsanto places on influencing European legislation and regulations, particularly those related to its agricultural chemicals business.

Monsanto's lobbying activities in Brussels have been the subject of controversy, with allegations that the company interfered with safety studies and exerted undue influence over regulatory agencies. These allegations led to a parliamentary hearing on 11 October, which Monsanto refused to attend. As a result of this refusal, MEPs used their powers to ban Monsanto lobbyists from accessing the European Parliament.

The ban on Monsanto lobbyists in the European Parliament is a significant development and sends a strong message about the importance of democratic processes and transparency in lobbying. It remains to be seen what impact this ban will have on Monsanto's business and the regulation of its products in Europe. However, it is clear that Monsanto's lobbying efforts in Brussels, which cost the company a significant amount annually, have not been successful in preventing scrutiny of its products and practices.

Frequently asked questions