1. Controversial renewal of glyphosate in Europe In a decision that triggered a wave of opposition, the European Commission decided to renew the authorization of glyphosate until 2033. CRIIGEN, in collaboration with the "Collectif des maires anti-pesticides" and the association "Agir pour l'Environnement", immediately filed an action for annulment with the European Court of Justice. Corinne Lepage, CRIIGEN's lawyer, criticizes a decision that "ignores major scientific warnings" (Le Monde, November 18, 2023).
2. Impacts on human health: overwhelming evidence CRIIGEN continues to highlight the dangers associated with glyphosate. In its latest report, the collective cites international studies proving the devastating impact of this pesticide on the endocrine, reproductive and immune systems. According to Prof. Joël Spiroux de Vendômois, President of CRIIGEN, this evidence is largely ignored by regulatory bodies such as EFSA (Libération, November 20, 2023).
3. Herbicides with insecticidal effects A recent article co-authored by N. Defarge in The Science of Total Environment demonstrates that certain glyphosate-based herbicides, such as Roundup, cause the death of non-target insect larvae, notably Chrysoperla carnea. "These data clearly show that glyphosate-based herbicides act as insecticides", according to Gilles-Éric Séralini, founding member of CRIIGEN (Le Figaro, September 14, 2023).
4. CRIIGEN takes on Europe Following the rejection of its request for an ex gratia appeal against the reauthorization of glyphosate, CRIIGEN has announced legal action against the European Commission. According to Corinne Lepage, "the legal battle for transparency and public health continues" (France Info, September 25, 2023).
5. Scientific studies still under pressure CRIIGEN accuses the agrochemical industry of distorting debates by financing biased studies. Gilles-Éric Séralini, whose study of GMO corn NK603 caused a stir, remains critical of the shortcomings of pesticide risk assessment. "Independent studies are systematically ignored or denigrated" (L'Humanité, October 10, 2023).
Conclusion
CRIIGEN remains at the forefront of the fight against the use of pesticides and GMOs in Europe. Through its scientific, legal and communication actions, it continues to inform the public about the potential dangers of products that are widely used, but whose long-term effects give cause for concern.