A commissioned study by a Green group in the European Parliament and prepared by the European Pesticide Action Network examined surface waters across a dozen EU member states. The report highlights concerns about glyphosate and the associated metabolite AMPA, raising questions about potential health and environmental effects.
The study was published as the EU weighs a renewal of glyphosate authorization for another fifteen years, with a decision anticipated in the coming months.
To produce the findings, water samples were collected from twelve EU countries at the close of the 2022 agricultural season. Countries included Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Poland, and Portugal, with sampling taking place after harvest activities.
Environmental observers noted that water in Spain and several other EU nations showed glyphosate related residues during testing conducted after farming activities. The report details 23 samples from rivers and streams and five from lakes, analyzed for the presence of glyphosate or AMPA, a breakdown product of the herbicide in the environment.
The report references a drinking water safety threshold of 0.1 micrograms per liter for active substances and related pesticide metabolites, noting that the study checked whether concentrations exceeded 0.2 micrograms per liter.
river water samples
Across eleven of twelve countries, seventeen of twenty three river or stream samples, about 74 percent, showed levels of glyphosate or AMPA above 0.2 micrograms per liter. Because sampling occurred after the growing season, AMPA tended to appear more frequently than glyphosate itself, reflecting the herbicide breakdown process.
Glyphosate was detected in five samples, while AMPA appeared in seventeen. The highest AMPA concentration was found in Polish waters at 3.9 micrograms per liter, and the highest glyphosate reading was in Portugal at 3.0 micrograms per liter.
Approximately 22 percent of samples with detectable AMPA exceeded 1 microgram per liter. In five of twenty three samples from Austria, Spain, Poland, and Portugal, glyphosate levels surpassed the human consumption limit of 0.1 micrograms per liter.
results in Spain
In the Murcia region at San Pedro del Pinatar, AMPA levels reached 0.8 micrograms per liter, while glyphosate stayed under 0.2 micrograms per liter. On Rambla del Albujón, AMPA rose to 3.4 micrograms per liter with glyphosate at 0.4 micrograms per liter. In the Utxesa area of Lleida, AMPA was 0.5 micrograms per liter and glyphosate 0.2 micrograms per liter.
Slovenian water samples did not exceed 0.2 micrograms per liter for either AMPA or glyphosate, and none of the lake samples tested showed residues above the threshold.
In July, after assessing health impacts, authorities concluded that no critical concerns were identified for glyphosate use, though some issues were noted. The review emphasizes remaining uncertainties and the need for ongoing monitoring and assessment.
possible renewal of use
The ongoing review centers on whether to renew the herbicide permit. At present, glyphosate use remains allowed until mid December, pending the decision on renewal.
The World Health Organization in 2015 labeled glyphosate as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Critics from environmental groups argue that EFSA’s assessment lacks sufficient data to resolve key questions, calling for stronger safeguards and greater transparency.
Some representatives contend that renewing the fifteen year permit would have broad ecological consequences and public health implications, urging caution and stronger oversight.
Future policy directions will depend on continued evidence, risk assessments, and the balance of agricultural needs with environmental protection.
Note not included is a direct contact address or publication details. The discussion remains focused on science, health, and regulatory processes rather than individual entities or organizations.