Glyphosate is a pesticide that is toxic to human health and the environment, according to a new scientific study published on Tuesday 11 October by PAN International (Pesticide Action Network), an NGO fighting for pesticides to be replaced by less damaging alternatives.
The network’s scientists carried out a state of the science review, a compilation of all scientific studies available anywhere in the world on the impact of glyphosate of human health and the environment. The damaging effects detected include acute poisoning, kidney and liver damage, imbalances in the intestinal microbiome and intestinal functioning, cancer, genotoxicity, endocrine disruption, reproductive and developmental reduction, neurological damage, and immune system dysfunction.
PAN Europe is convinced that this review of the most widely used pesticide in the world should sound an alarm bell for regulators, governments and users around the world. The review also provides information about viable alternatives.
In a press release, PAN-UK’s director Keith Tyrelle says regulators should wake up and immediately ban this chemical. Dr Peter Clausing of PAN-Germany says that in 2017, the European chemical products authorities should decide whether to accept the blatant proof of the carcinogenicity of glyphosate and declare it carcinogenic.
Extension of authorisation to use glyphosate until 31 December 2017 was decided by the European Commission in June this year, in the absence of opinions from the member states against a backdrop of controversy and divergent opinions from the WHO and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (see EUROPE 11583). Upon request from MEPs, EFSA has agreed to share the gross data from studies used as a basis for its re-assessment of glyphosate’s toxicity with in the EU – a move towards transparency welcomed by PAN Europe (see EUROPE 11636 ).
PAN International's study can be found at: http://pan-international.org/wp-content/uploads/Glyphosate-monograph.pdf. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)