EU extends glyphosate herbicide approval to 2033 amid health concerns

The European Union has renewed the authorization for glyphosate‑based herbicides until 2033, despite ongoing scientific debate over the chemical’s safety. Researchers at Hungary’s Balaton Limnological Institute reported that glyphosate can disrupt the development, metabolism and oxidative‑stress pathways of the large marsh snail, suggesting broader ecological risks that may not be fully captured by current risk‑assessment frameworks.

Glyphosate, originally developed by Monsanto in the 1970s, is widely used across Europe. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as “probably carcinogenic” to humans. Hungarian scientists are calling for a reassessment of EU regulations, emphasizing the need to consider non‑target species, chronic environmental exposure and long‑term ecological consequences.

The extension of the licence means continued use of the herbicide for the next decade, while calls grow for tighter monitoring and possible revision of safety standards based on the new findings.