Monsanto Fights to Regain Ground on Glyphosate Debate

A few years ago, research was released linking glyphosate to cancer, which triggered a ripple of consequences through the agriculture and food industry. Now, Monsanto is working to turn the tide back in its favor.  

Earlier this month, a large, long-term project known as the Agricultural Health Study (AHS) released a report concluding that there is no link between glyphosate exposure and farm workers. The findings sharply contrast a conclusion from the World Health Organization in 2015 that labeled the chemical a “probable carcinogen” for agriculture workers.

November 16, 2017 | Source: Chem.info | by Meagan Parrish

A few years ago, research was released linking glyphosate to cancer, which triggered a ripple of consequences through the agriculture and food industry. Now, Monsanto is working to turn the tide back in its favor.  

Earlier this month, a large, long-term project known as the Agricultural Health Study (AHS) released a report concluding that there is no link between glyphosate exposure and farm workers. The findings sharply contrast a conclusion from the World Health Organization in 2015 that labeled the chemical a “probable carcinogen” for agriculture workers.

While Monsanto has maintained that the WHO’s findings are based on unrealistic circumstances, environmentalists have blasted most research disputing the link as likely being paid for by the company.

Unsurprisingly, California — which has the strictest chemical regulations —  has since set out to create labeling laws for glyphosate.

But Monsanto and a group of farmers are now pushing back. This week, the group filed a lawsuit in a federal court against the state for its effort to put cancer warnings on products containing glyphosate.

“Such warnings would equate to compelled false speech, directly violate the First Amendment, and generate unwarranted public concern and confusion,” Scott Partridge, Monsanto’s vice president of global strategy, said in a statement.

Monsanto also claims that the company has already lost hundreds of millions of dollars in investments since California added glyphosate to its list of cancer-causing chemicals, under Prop 65 laws.

Glyphosate, which has been around for 40 years,  is the most widely used weed killer in history and California is one of the biggest markets for the chemical.