EU postpones vote on limits of weedkiller use

BRUSSELS – The European Union has postponed a vote on the extended use of the popular weedkiller glyphosate because of concerns about its possible links to cancer.

France's environment minister, Segolene Royal, called the postponement of the vote "great news" in a Twitter message. She said ever more EU nations were following Paris in opposing the further authorization for the use.

After failing to get a deal in March, a special EU committee had been meeting on the issue and again failed to get sufficient back to extend the license for the controversial herbicide beyond the end of June. Many argue there are too many uncertainties about the health effects of the weedkiller.

Glyphosate is an ingredient in Roundup, a popular weedkiller across the globe.