Glyphosate is one of the world’s most widely used herbicides. Italy does permit the use of glyphosate within its borders, but its application is governed by a strict and evolving set of national limitations. These Italian rules move significantly beyond the baseline regulations set by the European Union, reflecting a cautious national approach to pesticide management. The country’s regulatory framework is characterized by specific bans on certain application methods and locations, while the substance remains generally authorized for broader agricultural use.
The European Union Regulatory Context
Italy’s ability to regulate glyphosate is fundamentally tied to its status as a member of the European Union. The European Commission holds the authority to approve active substances like glyphosate for use across the bloc, setting the initial framework for all member states. This process relies heavily on scientific risk assessments conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The EU authorization establishes the maximum residue levels permitted in food and feed and dictates the general conditions for safe use.
The EU approval process is cyclical, with the substance undergoing re-evaluation every few years. The most recent assessment, carried out between 2019 and 2023, involved a comprehensive review of data. In 2023, the European Commission ultimately renewed the approval of glyphosate as an active substance for a period of ten years, extending its authorization until December 2033. This decision was based on EFSA’s conclusion that the substance showed no “critical areas of concern” regarding human health or the environment under the proposed conditions of use.
The EU framework mandates that member states must ensure that all plant protection products containing glyphosate are authorized nationally following a full safety evaluation. While the EU approval allows for the substance’s use, it explicitly does not permit its indiscriminate application. Member states have the legal right to implement further conditions and restrictions beyond the EU-level requirements, a right Italy has actively exercised.
National Limitations on Application
Italy has implemented specific and detailed restrictions on glyphosate application through decrees issued by the Ministry of Health, moving beyond the minimum requirements of EU law. These national rules focus on protecting public areas, vulnerable populations, and groundwater resources from potential exposure. One of the most significant restrictions is the outright ban on applying glyphosate in all non-agricultural areas that are frequently used by the public or vulnerable groups.
This ban applies to a comprehensive list of locations:
- Urban parks, public gardens, courtyards, and sports fields.
- Green areas within school buildings, playgrounds, and all grounds adjacent to healthcare facilities.
- Verges of roads and railways, effectively eliminating its use for public infrastructure maintenance.
A particularly strict Italian rule prohibits the pre-harvest use of glyphosate, a practice known as desiccation. This ban was implemented specifically to minimize the amount of residual pesticide contamination in consumer food products.
Italy also introduced an environmental protection measure banning the non-agricultural use of the herbicide on soils composed of 80% or more sand. This restriction is designed to protect groundwater sources, as sandy soil composition increases the risk of the chemical leaching into the water table.
Ongoing Authorization Debates
The debate over glyphosate’s use remains politically charged in Italy, despite the substance’s recent 10-year renewal at the EU level. Italy has historically taken a strong stance against the herbicide, notably voting against renewal proposals in the past. This political opposition reflects a broader national preference for stricter pesticide controls and a desire to promote organic and low-input farming methods.
In the 2023 EU renewal vote within the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed, Italy, along with other major member states, ultimately chose to abstain from voting. This lack of a qualified majority allowed the European Commission to proceed with the 10-year re-authorization decision. Italy’s decision to strategically abstain highlights the complex political and scientific divisions within the EU.
Even with the EU-wide renewal until 2033, Italy retains the autonomous right to maintain and even impose further national restrictions on the use of glyphosate. Future debates will focus not on the substance’s overall authorization, but on the potential for Italy to introduce additional domestic mitigation measures. These national discussions will likely center on regulating specific co-formulants in herbicide products or further tightening application distances near sensitive areas.