Soy growers want EPA evaluation of glyphosate

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received information this past week from the American Soybean Association (ASA) for a scientific-based evaluation on the carcinogenic potential of glyphosate by the EPA’s Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP).

Soybean farmers believe the chemical is essential for sustaining a productive soybean farm.
  
“We are concerned that the SAP process will further delay the registration process for glyphosate,” an ASA representative said. “We encourage the agency to conduct a timely and science-based review of glyphosate that takes into account the decades of research demonstrating the safety of this herbicide and the important benefits it brings farmers.”

ASA pointed to the scientific studies already performed, including a study published by the EPA in September entitled "Glyphosate Issue Paper," which shows glyphosate does not present unreasonable risk to humans, wildlife or the environment. In fact, ASA believes the rewards outweigh the risks when it comes to glyphosate.

“Glyphosate enables effective weed control with no harmful residues in no-till settings, while allowing farmers more flexibility in application timing,” the representative said. “Without access to glyphosate, soybean farmers will have to use other herbicides, which may leave residues that could harm our crops or increase the amount of tillage and labor to control weeds.”