Crop Protection Association pleased with glyphosate review

The European Food Safety Authority has concluded that glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans and that evidence does not support classification with regard to its carcinogenic potential based on a peer review.

“As an industry we take pride in the fact that our products are demonstrably safe," Crop Protection Association  CEO Nick von Westenholz said in response to ruling. "Pesticides are among the most heavily regulated products in Europe and it currently takes about 10 years, costing over $150 million to bring an active ingredient to market. It is this process, backed by effective and independent regulatory scrutiny that ensures the public can have absolute confidence in our products.

“Glyphosate is an important part of a farmer’s and gardener’s toolbox. It is particularly important in minimizing food waste by controlling a broad spectrum of weeds and therefore reducing the need for ploughing of soils. This protects soils from degradation and reduces greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. This is just one example of how modern farming relies on innovations in crop protection such as glyphosate to protect soil whilst helping make our land as productive as possible.”

The Crop Protection Association is a key voice of the U.K. plant science industry.