The European Commission’s proposed revamp of the system would make indefinite greenlighting — including of the controversial glyphosate, which has been linked to cancer and kills almost all plant life — the default.

Ecologists and medical experts, however, have spoken out forcefully against the proposed changes, saying the potential implications for human health and the environment are being downplayed.

In September, more than 500 experts from across the EU signed an open letter calling on the European Parliament to suspend its consideration of the new regulations and conduct an independent investigation into health and environmental impacts.