Glyphosate in the news

In the past few months, glyphosate, the active ingredient in the weed killer RoundUp and many generic formulations, has been in the news, including the August 2018 decision of the Californian Superior Court in a trial against Monsanto.

While it is terribly unfortunate that a man is suffering from terminal cancer, it should be noted that the finding of the Superior Court have been highly contentious, in large part because the decision was based on a 2015 assessment carried out by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) which re-classified glyphosate as ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’. It should be noted that IARC are currently the only national or international agency which has reviewed glyphosate and found it to be a probable carcinogen.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) have released the following statement:

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is aware of the August 2018 decision in the Californian Superior Court concerning glyphosate.

Glyphosate is registered for use in Australia and APVMA approved products containing glyphosate can continue to be used safely according to label directions. Australian law requires appropriate warnings on product labels, which include relevant poisons scheduling, first aid, and safety directions detailing personal protective equipment when handling and using products containing glyphosate. The APVMA reminds all users of the importance of following all label instructions.

As the national regulator for agricultural chemicals, we continue to track and consider any new scientific information associated with safety and effectiveness of glyphosate, including the information available from other regulators.

In 2016, following the IARC assessment, the APVMA considered glyphosate and found no grounds to place it under formal reconsideration.

While seeking to minimise agrichemical use where possible and exploring non-chemical management options is best practice, it is important to recognise the vital role that glyphosate and other agrichemicals have to play in conservation tillage and integrated pest management programs to ensure food security and environmental protection.

And no matter what the chemical, always follow relevant product label directions including complying with on-label application rates and usage situations, following all safety directions including personal protective equipment, and observing crop re-entry and withholding periods.

For further information on the APVMA assessment of glyphosate or the chemical risk assessment process carried out by the APVMA on glyphosate and other agricultural chemicals, please visit: https://apvma.gov.au/node/13891