Glyphosate controversy never about science but rather ‘activist’s war on Big Ag’

. . . [W]hat exactly makes glyphosate such a controversial issue? One must look no further than the . . . . unexpected decision by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to classify glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” back in March 2015. . . .

IARC’s decision flew in the face of the world’s major advisory . . . bodies – the German BfR . . ., the European Food Safety Authority, the US-EPA, the European Chemicals Agency. . . – stated. . . that glyphosate, as properly used, raises no health concerns.

. . . .

. . . [T]he IARC decision has been . . . used to scupper the renewal processes in Europe. . . The findings of all the aforementioned agencies were. . . dismissed by activists with a standard answer: these bodies are . . . are in the pocket of ‘Big Agri’. But this nonchalant dismissal, without proper evaluation . . . of the evidence at hand, contradicts the very decision-making process.

. . . . The sad truth is that the debate over glyphosate has never truly been about science, but has been a war waged by activists, . . . where scientific arguments are accepted only if they are liked. But that won’t change the scientific fact that glyphosate is safe.

[André Heitz is an agronomist and former international civil servant for the United Nations.]

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Glyphosate: Understanding the controversy

{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}
screenshot at  pm

Are pesticide residues on food something to worry about?

In 1962, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring drew attention to pesticides and their possible dangers to humans, birds, mammals and the ...
glp menu logo outlined

Newsletter Subscription

* indicates required
Email Lists
glp menu logo outlined

Get news on human & agricultural genetics and biotechnology delivered to your inbox.