Scientists raise the alarm over common herbicide

Leading world experts have today released a report exposing the pesticide industry and government regulators for playing down the serious risks posed by the common herbicide Glyphosate and employing poor science to defend its continued widespread use.

“Our examination of the evidence leads us to the conclusion that the current approval of Glyphosate and Roundup is deeply flawed and unreliable,” wrote the report authors in their conclusion. “What is more, we have learned from experts familiar with pesticide assessments and approvals that the case of Glyphosate is not unusual.

“They say that the approvals of numerous pesticides rest on data and risk assessments that are just as scientifically flawed, if not more so,” the authors added. “This is all the more reason why the Commission must urgently review Glyphosate and other pesticides according to the most rigorous and up-to-date standards.”

Glyphosate is used extensively to control weeds in urban, bushland, plantations and agricultural environments. Tasmanian local governments spray Glyphosate extensively on public footpaths, road verges, drains and culverts and public open spaces. Schools and childcare centres also use Glyphosate on ovals and turf areas as do consumers in their own yards and gardens.

Tasmanian Public and Environmental Health spokesperson Dr Alison Bleaney states, “It’s time to take the long term health of our children seriously. These pesticides leave residues in our environment that our children are exposed to. Glyphosate and other pesticide residues remain long after the actual application to an area where children are often seen playing and rolling around on the grass within hours of an application. It contaminates our waterways. We need real action by our government to reduce these non-consenting and unacceptable exposures. Specifically, ensuring pesticides are safe prior to their use is long overdue!”

The report can be found – http://www.scribd.com/doc/57277946/RoundupandBirthDefectsv5

Tasmanian Public & Environmental Health Network (TPEHN)
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Pollution_Information_Tasmania