It is time to reevaluate the evidence and how Glyphosate Based Herbicides (GBH's) are used in light of a ground breaking court case finding harm from the glyphosate based herbicide Roundup products.

On 10 August 2018, the jury in San Francisco's Superior Court of California found that Monsanto was liable to pay non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma sufferer, Dewayne Johnson, US $289 million dollars for negligence. The court found that Roundup Pro and Ranger Pro has potential risks, that were known and scientifically proven; that it presented a substantial danger to those using the products, but these were not disclosed by Monsanto. Part of the payment is for punitive damages, for failing to warn users, ignoring the research evidence and covering up the adverse health effects of Roundup products and their adjuvants. [1]

Discovery documents for Monsanto highlighted the orchestrated campaign that was conducted to vilify scientists whose research on glyphosate found harm. One of these organisations was the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) whose thorough research found that that glyphosate was probable carcinogen, classifying it as a 2A carcinogen. [2]

The court case brought out the dark underbelly of Monsanto and large corporations who buy silence and influence regulators and researchers who rely on their funding.

"In the US, corporates are liable to being sued if their product is dangerous, however in New Zealand the cost is socialised and if it is regulated as safe then the government guarantees costs. So we all pay for the damages of a poisons use," said Claire Bleakley, President of GE-Free NZ.

Despite the mounting evidence that GBH’s, including Monsanto's Roundup, cause serous health conditions such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the NZ Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has previously found that there is no harm from glyphosate.[3]

GE-free NZ is asking the government to immediately re assess all GBH’s and conduct a survey of farmers and workers health to see if there is a link to their cancer and the use of GBH’s.

Also we have 'Roundup-ready' genetically engineered corn, canola, cotton, sugar, potatoes and soy products entering the food chain that have been doused in Round up. A major ingredient of the controversial 'impossible' GE burger protein is possibly made from Roundup ready potatoes.

"We urge the government to immediately review the safety of Glyphosate Based Herbicides (GBH)." said Claire Bleakley “New Zealand must find alternative non-pesticide solutions to farming issues. Agroecology and organic methods have proved that people can farm profitably and sustainably without harmful synthetic pesticides like Roundup,”

References:
[1] Johnson vs Monsanto verdict https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um00x2ElTWs

[2] http://publications.iarc.fr/Book-And-Report-Series/Iarc-Monographs-On-The-Evaluation-Of-Carcinogenic-Risks-To-Humans/Some-Organophosphate-Insecticides-And-Herbicides-2017

[3] https://www.epa.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Documents/Everyday-Environment/Publications/EPA-glyphosate-review.pdf

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