In March 2015, the World Health Organization declared that glyphosate, the primary active ingredient in the world’s number one herbicide, Roundup, is a “probable carcinogen”. How has the world responded?
Even prior to the World Health Organization’s Group 2A classification, many countries were already on the road to eliminating the use of glyphosate. Here is a partial list of nations seeking to reduce or eliminate the use of glyphosate. (Click on the name of the country for more information.)
10 countries act against glyphosate
1. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s president Maithripala Sirisena announced in May 2015 that it will halt the import of glyphosate noting the increasing number of chronic kidney disease (CKDu) patients in Sri Lanka.
2. El Salvador
In 2013, El Salvador blazed the trail by becoming the first country to ban glyphosate, also citing the rise of the deadly kidney disease (CKDu).
The Dutch Parliament took action in 2014, banning the sale of glyphosate to private parties citing a link to cancer, infertility, birth defects, nervous system damage, and kidney disease. In response to the WHO reclassification, the Denmark Working Environment Authority declared glyphosate to be a carcinogen.
4. Brazil
Brazil’s public prosecutor has asked Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) to re-evaluate their stance on glyphosate.
5. Argentina
More than 30,000 doctors are requesting a ban on glyphosate. A statement issued by the Federation of Health Professionals of Argentina (FESPROSA) states:
“Each year, the soil is sprayed with more than 320 million liters, which means that 13 million people are at risk of being affected . . ”
6. France
In 2014, France adopted a decree halting the sowing of Monsanto’s insect-resistant MON810 maize, the sole GMO crop allowed for cultivation in the European Union.
7. Russia
In 2016 Russia’s State Dumas passed a ban on GMO crops and animals with the Agriculture Minister, Alexander Tkache stating:
”The Ministry of Agriculture is strongly against GMOs, Russian products will remain clean.”
8. Colombia
Glyphosate has been used for decades in Colombia as part of a US-sponsored crop-spraying anti-narcotics program. Colombia has decided to halt the campaign citing adverse health impacts on Colombian residents.
The Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA) submitted more than 24,000 signatures calling on the Colombian president and the National Narcotics Council to suspend the aerial spraying of illicit crops with glyphosate just prior to the decision.
9. Peru
In 2011, Peru declared a ten-year moratorium on GMOs, preventing “the import of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) on the national territory for cultivation, breeding or of any transgenic production.”
10. Mexico
In December of 2014, the The Mexican Chapter of the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal called on the Mexican government to“adopt all necessary measures to ensure the conservation of peasant maize as the main food source and as a vital element of the social structure and cohesion.”
Other notable actions
Switzerland
While not an official move by the government, two major Swiss supermarkets have removed all glyphosate products from store shelves in May of 2105, citing health risks.
Glyphosate Manifesto
More than 400 scientists and 600 non-scientists from 58 countries have signed a manifesto calling for a ban on glyphosate spraying. (See the Independent Scientists Manifesto on Glyphosate.)
What about the United States?
What action, if any is the U.S. government taking in response to the news that glyphosate is now officially a WHO Group 2A carcinogen?
None.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as agreed to review the latest news, but still maintains its 2013 position that glyphosate is noncarcinogenic:
” No evidence of carcinogenicity was found in mice or rats. In a chronic toxicity study in dogs, no systemic effects were found in all examined parameters.” (Excerpted from the Federal Register.)
Monsanto meanwhile has demanded a retraction from the World Health Organization.
Where does that leave you and me? I, for one, am not going to wait for the US government to tell me that glyphosate is potentially harmful. I’m going to continue to avoid all genetically modified foods, drink clean water and seek natural solutions for weed control.
How about you?
For more, see the previous posts:
There has never been a decree banning glyphosate in France. In march, when IARC publication was published, Environnement Ministre Segolene Royal asked retailers not to sell it. As you may imagine, it absolutely not worked. Agriculture Ministre Stephane Le Foll told he would not forbid it because ” there is nothing to replace it”.
As long as we have that kind of assholes, Monsanto can sleep quietly 😉
Please remove your heads from your backsides and face facts.
People need to eat
Most are living longer and better fed than ever
We cannot live on fairy kisses and sunshine.
Glyphosate is the only effective total herbicide we have
Used responsibly (not pre harvest) it is safe.
The only alternative is to burn a lot more diesel which is not a good idea.
I will break it gently unicorns don’t exist
Sir,
The fairy kisses you are referring to are completely on your side. Glyphosate exists for one primary reason: so that agriculture can be done in a business model that concentrates wealth into a single owners pockets. Putting poison on your land and in your food is completely un-necessary and actually quite stupid. I am personally growing massive amounts of food for many years and feed many people and use absolutely no herbicides of any kind. It is the people that think that glyphosate is required that have been fooled by propaganda. I am 100% proof of it … I am very successful, have super high yields, and allow fringes and bees to live on my land.
Sir, please evaluate your position … You have been duped.
How do you answer the “facts” hidden for years uncovered in discovery of the trial of a U S. Man who just last week won his case against glyphosate and has been awarded $239M. According to Attorney Robert Kennedy Jr., already 4000 cases set to follow
We recommend …..It should be banned in India totally. …manufacturer of these chemicals. ..pesticides are befooling government ,farmers and playing with the health of humans and cattles .These manufacturers earning 500 percent of profits. …..also not paying govt. Income Tax and other taxes. ……..many more comments are there. …
Germany shouldn’t be on the list above; they pressured EU to give up on the proposed ban of Glyphosate in agriculture this November. 🙁 The merger of Bayer and Monsanto is on the table and Merkel was fighting tooth and nail for glyphosate to stay in use. Bayer is a major German corporation and she wanted to keep the market open. In Russia GMO is completely banned, and I wonder what is going on with Roundup there. For those who are sceptic about voices against Monsanto’s approach to food growing: tiny Netherland became #2 (after US) producer and exporter of food in the world. Monsanto products are either completely banned or restricted there; apparently food can be produced on a huge scale without pesticides and GMO. Netherland is a proof that there are other ways to increase and protect crops that are safe for environment and people . Monsanto is not about saving world from hunger…. The report of Argentinian doctor’s association is absolutely horrific. It is criminal that governments and many scientist are working for corporations, not people and the environment. Everything is out there, the evidence, but the will (and integrity and courage) to connect the dots-because connecting the dots will not bring any profit, but would get into trouble those who had done it. And we are just watching in silence….
Thank you. I made the change in the article!