New research shows Glyphosate is carcinogenic, even in small quantities, previously thought to be safe.

This week’s meeting of Nether Edge and Sharrow Sustainable Transformation concentrated on the issue of the effects on human health of Glyphosate.

Glyphosate is the most commonly used herbicide in the world, widely used in farms, gardens and streets as a weedkiller. It is readily available in many different brands and formulations, the most well known being Roundup, originally developed by Monsanto (since taken over by Bayer). There has been a growing body of evidence linking Glyphosate to both environmental and human health harms.

This year, the most comprehensive global study ever conducted on Glyphosate was published. This groundbreaking research confirms that Glyphosate and Glyphosate-based herbicides cause multiple types of cancer, even at exposure levels deemed by the EU to be “safe”. It was coordinated by the Ramazzini Institute in Italy and involved scientists from across the US, South America and Europe. The UK contributor to the study, Professor Michael Antoniou, presents the webinar.

The main findings of the report included

• Glyphosate is the most used pesticide in the world ever, and its use rapidly increased between 1995 and 2014. The general population is exposed to glyphosate in food and it appears in our urine.
• Claims that Glyphosate are safe ignore the effects on the gut microbiome and other mechanisms of toxicity such as genotoxicity/DNA damage.
• Glyphosate is mixed with many other chemicals to make the products people buy in Garden Centres and farmers apply to their fields. The resulting mix can be 1000 times more toxic than the active ingredient. This has not been properly considered by regulators.
• Tests on rats compared three different doses of Glyphosate (0.5, 5 and 50mg/kg body weight/day)with a control group that were not exposed to the herbicide. All three levels of dose showed significant levels of different cancers including leukaemias, skin, thyroid, bone and liver, compared to the control group. 0.5mg/kg/day is the level the UK believes is the “Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)” for humans. The ADI is clearly too high.
• Under EU cancer hazard pesticide law, glyphosate herbides should be banned.

After watching the video, we are very fortunate to be joined online for the Q and A by Nick Mole from PAN – Pesticide Action Network which hosted the webinar. PAN UK is a global network advocating for safer alternatives to hazardous pesticides and promotes sustainable agricultural practices. PAN have found that Glyphosate makes up 96% of all the pesticide active substances applied by Councils. The findings of this study will be of great importance in persuading Councils and others to stop using Glyphosate based pesticides and use safe alternatives.

Some important points arising from the discussion.

• It was disappointing that animals had to suffer to get these results, but this is how the regulatory authority works.
• Over 100 Councils have reduced or stopped using Glysophate
• PAN are pushing for a national ban on the use of pesticides in public places, such as playgrounds, parks and streets.
• Four companies control the agrochemical sector and lobby strongly for continued herbicide use. This is generally supported by the National Farmers Union.
• The Nature Friendly Farming Network show how change is possible.
• Our food system is in disarray. We actually produce too much food, but much of it is wasted.
• A glyphosate-free trial in one part of Nether Edge has been very successful.
• The UK has agreed to follow the EU’s regulatory system of pesticides.
• A new report on the use of glyphosate on playgrounds will be released by PAN very soon.
• There is very little data available about how much glyphosate is used or where it is used.
• Unions are concerned about the Health and Safety of workers spraying Glyphosate but workers don’t always wear appropriate PPE.
• Councils may face the major jeopardy of lawsuits from workers who develop cancer as a result of spraying glyphosate. The safest thing would be for Councils to stop using it.
• The biodiversity crisis is an even more compelling reason to stop using glyphosate.
• Schools can ensure that glyphosate is not sprayed on their grounds.
• Sheffield Councillors are getting complaints because, since reducing the use of glyphosate, there are more weeds on the pavements. Please write to the Council to tell them to continue to reduce the use of glyphosate.

I, along with Sheffield Extinction Rebellion, have been campaigning on Glyphosate for many years. To see the history of this, read some of the older posts here.

Nether Edge and Sharrow Sustainable Transformation is a wonderful group who are doing great work in the area. Current projects include creating a new sand based meadow near Abbeydale Road, regular talks like the one reported here, botanical walks, raising funds for new street trees, working on planning applications in the neighbourhood and much more.

If you live near Nether Edge and Sharrow, I highly recommend you join. If you don’t, there are many other environmental community groups around South Yorkshire listed here. If your area is not covered, why not seek the help of South Yorkshire Climate Alliance to get one started?