European Civil Society Organizations Demand Halt to Glyphosate Reapproval Over Carcinogenicity Concerns

A coalition of 15 European civil society organizations has penned a letter to Ms. Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, voicing their alarm over the reapproval of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide. The letter, sent on September 7th, 2023, identifies significant flaws in the assessment of glyphosate's carcinogenicity and urges the Commissioner to halt the reapproval process.

The organizations contend that the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have neglected crucial data and dismissed key findings that suggest glyphosate's potential carcinogenicity. They highlight several critical issues, including the absence of two genotoxicity studies, statistically significant tumor incidences in animal studies, deceptive use of a "limit dose," and the link between glyphosate exposure and malignant lymphomas in both animals and humans.

Furthermore, the letter emphasizes the broader implications of glyphosate exposure, including neurotoxicity, Parkinson's disease, endocrine disruption, and harm to terrestrial and aquatic non-target species, endangering biodiversity.

The coalition calls upon Commissioner Kyriakides to exercise precaution and refrain from reapproving glyphosate, citing the duty to protect public health and the environment. They argue that the rushed timeline for approval leaves little room for scrutiny and raises concerns about transparency and compliance with EU regulations.

As the reapproval of glyphosate looms, these civil society organizations underscore the need to prioritize human health and environmental safety over commercial interests, emphasizing the importance of independent scientific assessment in the decision-making process.

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