German beer contaminated with glyphosate

25.2.2016

Question for written answer E-001668-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Stefan Eck (GUE/NGL) , Anja Hazekamp (GUE/NGL) , Klaus Buchner (Verts/ALE)

On 25 February 2016, the Umweltinstitut München e.V. (Munich Environmental Institute) published a study on the contamination of German beer with the pesticide glyphosate[1].

The test results show that the residue levels of glyphosate in the various beers range from 0.46 to 29.74 micrograms of glyphosate per litre of beer. This is of great concern, as the current maximum residue level for glyphosate in drinking water is 0.1 micrograms per litre, but there are currently no maximum residue levels set for beer in EU legislation.

1. Given the health risks posed by glyphosate, why has the Commission not set any maximum residue levels for glyphosate in beer?

2. In the Commission's opinion, to what extent have the German authorities been negligent in allowing the placing on the market of mass consumption goods that contain high residue levels of a pesticide that is known for its health risks?

3. What actions is the Commission planning to take to safeguard the health and safety of EU consumers, given the large scale of beer consumption in the EU?

• [1] https://www.umweltinstitut.org/fileadmin/Mediapool/Downloads/02_Mitmach-Aktionen/11_Rettet_das_Reinheitsgebot/Glyphosat_Untersuchung_Umweltinstitut_2016.pdf