Health Canada [is] reviewing hundreds of studies used during the approval process for glyphosate, the active ingredient in Canada’s most popular herbicide, Roundup.
The decision comes after a coalition of environmental groups claimed Health Canada relied on studies that were secretly influenced by agrochemical giant Monsanto, the maker of Roundup, when it re-approved use of glyphosate in 2015 and confirmed that decision in 2017.
The coalition, which includes Equiterre, Ecojustice, Canadian Physicians for the Environment and others, says academic papers looking at whether the herbicide causes cancer were presented to Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency as independent, when in fact Monsanto had a hand in writing them.
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“Health Canada scientists are currently reviewing hundreds of studies to assess whether the information justifies a change to the original decision, or the use of a panel of experts not affiliated with Health Canada,” the health agency told CBC-Radio Canada ….
But Sidney Ribaux, the head of Equiterre, isn’t satisfied. He says Health Canada should launch an independent review immediately and suspend use of the herbicide ….
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In a statement to CBC, German-based Bayer AG which now owns Monsanto says it has an “unwavering commitment to sound science transparency” and did not try to influence scientific outcomes in any way. The company says in each case where it sponsored a scientific article, that information was disclosed.
Read full, original article: ‘Troubling allegations’ prompt Health Canada review of studies used to approve popular weed-killer
