Gardeners make call for ban on weedkiller
Monsanto ordered to pay $289m to a groundskeeper, Dewayne Johnson, who said his terminal cancer was caused by regular exposure to glyphosate.
The chemicals giant has argued that glyphosate is not carcinogenic. It is fighting the court’s decision.
In 2015 the World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer stated that glyphosate was “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
Since then, two EU agencies the European Food Safety Agency and the European Chemicals Agency - have concluded that it is safe.
The potential harmful effects of the chemical continue to split opinion. Emma Hockridge, head of policy at the Soil Association said the use of glyphosate by farmers, gardeners “and many, if not most councils”, to clear weeds from fields, gardens, parks and public places, was “of concern.”
She said studies by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) showing the clearest link between glyphosate and certain human cancers looked at operators using glyphosate herbicides.
Following the US court case some British retailers said they were reviewing their product ranges.
A B&Q spokesperson said: “B&Q has been reviewing its garden care and maintenance range since 2017 and this review is on-going.”
The company said its review was already in progress and was not a direct reaction to Mr Johnson’s case.
The National Farmers Union said it was aware of the ruling but pointed to the opinions of independent regulatory bodies around the world.
A spokesman said: “The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) have looked at all the scientific evidence and concluded glyphosate is safe to use.
“But their conclusions have been ignored and their credibility has been undermined.
“Glyphosate reduces the need to use other herbicides, it helps to protect soil and cut greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the need for ploughing, and it enables farmers in this country to grow crops that help produce safe, affordable, high quality British food.”