The European Parliament called yesterday for controversial weedkiller glyphosate to be phased out within five years, a day before a crucial vote by EU States on whether to renew the licence for another five to seven years.

Malta has repeatedly opposed the use of the chemical, considered a probable human carcinogen by the World Health Organisation cancer agency, although other studies by the EU food safety and chemical agencies have contradicted this conclusion.

A recent study from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and two Dutch laboratories found that 45 per cent of Europe’s topsoil contains glyphosate residues.

The European Commission has proposed that the licence be renewed for five to seven years, backing down from earlier plans for more time amid opposition from powerful Member States.

National experts will meet in the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed on Wednesday to decide whether to endorse the new proposal.

Discussions within the committee have been all but deadlocked for more than a year.

The European Parliament yesterday passed a non-binding resolution calling for glyphosate to be phased out altogether by 2022, as well as an immediate ban on non-professional and public park, garden and playground uses.

“There is a growing unease over the lack of transparency in the EU classification process and many concerns over the safety of the herbicide,” Labour MEP and S&D environment coordinator Miriam Dalli said.

“It has been proven that our citizens are exposed to glyphosate through food, weedkillers and living close to sprayed areas.

“Glyphosate and its residues have been detected in water, soil, food and drinks, as well as in the human body.”

Dr Dalli, who is one of several Maltese MEPs from both parties to have spoken in favour of a glyphosate ban, argued that while pushing for an end to harmful pesticides, farmers and the industry should also be given time to adjust to the change.

MEPs also referred to leaked internal documents from Monsanto, which owns and produces the major glyphosate-containing herbicide Roundup, which they said shed doubt on the credibility of some studies used in the EU evaluation on glyphosate safety.

The Maltese government announced its intention last year to implement a national ban on glyphosate, but later changed tack and opted not to take a unilateral decision until a conclusion was reached at EU level, while continuing to oppose the licence’s renewal in discussions.

In a statement this morning, the Partit Demokratikusaid it was being stated Malta will be giving a green light to a renewed 10 year period.

It deplored this decision and hoped that in the last hour the government would change to last year’s exemplary and well-led decision.