Could it be that the World Health Organisation’s classification of glyphosate as a ‘probable carcinogen’ (Glyphosate ‘Probably Carcinogenic to Humans’ Latest WHO Assessment) will be the final nail in the coffin for the world’s most popular herbicide and Monsanto’s flagship product.
Recent weeks have seen the intensification of campaigns to ban or remove the product as well as lawsuits being filed against Monsanto; in the U.S. for false safety claims of glyphosate, and in China, for hiding toxicity studies from the public.
Colombia has taken the lead, deciding to suspend aerial spraying of illegal coca as well as poppy plants, which is expected to come into effect in a few weeks’ time following a majority 7 to 1 vote for the ban by the National Narcotics Council.
In Argentina, 30,000 health professionals belonging to the union of doctors and health professionals (FESPROSA) have come out in support of the WHO decision, claiming that glyphosate “not only causes cancer. It is also associated with increased spontaneous abortions, birth defects, skin diseases, and respiratory and neurological disease.”
In Europe, the International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE) (an influential body with member organizations in 27 countries) has written to officials at the EU parliament and Commission asking for an immediate ban of glyphosate herbicides and for insecticides also judged by the WHO to be carcinogens, without exceptions.
A group of citizens in Los Angeles County are taking court action against Monsanto for falsifying safety claims that Roundup® “targets an enzyme found in plants but not people and pets” in its labelling of the herbicide. The lawsuit applies to residents of California who have purchased Roundup at any time during the last four years.
The fight against glyphosate is gaining momentum, and where governments are not stepping up to enforce bans, citizens and private companies are taking it upon themselves with major successes.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Endgame for glyphosate? The global fallout of WHO’s ‘probable carcinogen’ classification
