The Environmental Protection Agency has concluded its latest review of one of the most used herbicides in the world — glyphosate. The Interim Registration Review Decision, based on the agency’s expert review over a 10-year period, reaffirms that the extensive body of science continues to support the safety of herbicides containing glyphosate and that this active ingredient has not been found to be carcinogenic to humans.
In the Interim Registration Review Decision, EPA confirms no apparent risk to human health. “EPA has thoroughly evaluated potential human health risk associated with exposure to glyphosate and determined that there are no risks to human health from the current registered uses of glyphosate and that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans.”
This announcement from the EPA is just the latest instance of a regulatory agency reaffirming that glyphosate is not carcinogenic. Since the International Agency for Research on Cancer assessment in 2015, regulatory and scientific bodies that have reaffirmed their conclusions about the safety of glyphosate-based products and that glyphosate has not been found to be carcinogenic when used according to the label. The bodies supporting these safety findings include the European Food Safety Authority, European Chemicals Agency, German BfR, and Australian, Canadian, Korean, New Zealand and Japanese regulatory authorities, as well as the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues.
The National Corn Growers Association said, “Safety is a priority for all corn growers. All products in use today have been tested by EPA, and many of which have been used for decades with no findings of harmful effects to human health or the environment when used properly. Each product is thoroughly reviewed by the EPA every 15 years to ensure continued safety and account for any new information or data. The availability of safe products is critically important and allows farmers to continually improve the sustainability of their operations, while supplying a safe, secure supply of food for a growing population.”
The EPA also said in its Interim Registration Review Decision that “it used the most current science policies and risk assessment methodologies to prepare a risk assessment in support of the registration review of glyphosate. The EPA thoroughly assessed risks to humans from exposure to glyphosate from all registered uses and all routes of exposure and did not identify any risks of concern.”
Liam Condon, member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG and President Crop Science Division said, “Glyphosate-based herbicides are one of the most thoroughly studied products of their kind, which is a major reason why farmers around the world continue to rely on these products not only for effective weed control, but also to minimize tillage farming practices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, preserve more land for native habitats, and provide enough food to meet the needs of a growing population worldwide. EPA’s science-based, in-depth assessment by its expert team reflects a gold standard for scientific rigor that is respected by regulators and scientists across the globe.”
