The review deemed the herbicide non-carcinogenic when used properly
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
A popular herbicide is safe to use when done so according to its label, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined.
The EPA reviewed glyphosate and concluded that “there are no risks of concern to human health when glyphosate is used according to the label and that it is not a carcinogen,” the agency said in its Jan. 30 ruling.
The conclusion is consistent with scientific findings from other agencies including the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency, the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority and the European Food Safety Authority, the EPA said.
Glyphosate manufacturers are pleased with the EPA’s ruling.
The herbicide is used on more than 100 crops and has been proven to be safe and effective in multiple studies, said Liam Condon, president of crop science for Bayer.
“Glyphosate-based herbicides are one of the most thoroughly studied products of their kind, which is a major reason why farmers around the world continue to rely on these products,” he said in a statement. “EPA’s science-based, in-depth assessment by its expert team reflects a gold standard for scientific rigor that is respected by regulators and scientists across the globe.”
Farm groups also support the EPA’s decision on glyphosate.
“This is a win for sustainable agriculture,” Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, said in a statement. “Today’s decision means farmers can continue to use conservation tillage and no-till methods on their farms to conserve soil, preserve and increase nutrients, improve water quality, trap excess carbon in the soil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That said, safety is our first priority and the science clearly shows that this tool is both safe and effective.”