Is there an inexorable drive to ban glyphosate? Is it inevitable? There is certainly a drive by some opponents to eliminate the world’s most commonly used herbicide, but whether it’s unstoppable is to be determined. Weed scientist Hugh Beckie, formerly of Agriculture Canada and now director of Australia’s herbicide resistance initiative at the University of […] Read more
Tag Archives glyphosate
Agriculture contemplates life without glyphosate
Glyphosate, the herbicide that has revolutionized weed control since its introduction in 1974, faces steadily increasing restrictions and in some cases outright bans in various countries around the world. That situation is putting pressure on farmers to find alternative measures of weed control. Though there is increased emphasis now on developing new modes of action […] Read more
Thailand reverses ban on pesticides
BANGKOK, Thailand (Reuters) — Thailand’s government on Dec. 4 reversed a planned ban on glyphosate and delayed the imposition of bans on two other chemicals used as agricultural pesticides, citing adverse effects on farmers, industry and international trade. Many local farmers groups have been staging protests opposing the ban, saying that the lack of inexpensive […] Read more
French regulator to ban glyphosate products
The country’s health and environment agency ruled that not enough data is available to rule out health risks
PARIS, France (Reuters) — French health and environment agency ANSES said Dec. 9 it was banning glyphosate-based herbicides that represent most of the volume of such products sold in France, ruling there was insufficient data to exclude health risks. The agency was withdrawing the marketing licence for 36 products and these would no longer be […] Read more
More glyphosate class action suits planned in Canada
Glyphosate lawsuits are multiplying in Canada. At least 360 Canadians have contacted law firms, asking to join class action suits against Bayer and Monsanto. This spring, Merchant Law Group filed the first class-action lawsuit in Canada. The lawsuit contends that exposure to glyphosate contributed to the cancer of a Saskatchewan farmer and the cancer of […] Read more
Thailand plans glyphosate ban
BANGKOK (Reuters) — Thailand’s ban on glyphosate, which its government deemed hazardous, could threaten imports of American agricultural products into Thailand, the U.S. government says. The country’s National Hazardous Substances Committee voted Oct. 22 to ban the use of three “hazardous chemicals,” including paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos. The ban, which will take effect Dec. 1, […] Read more
Extra care urged when applying fall glyphosate
Producers are warned that herbicide residues detected in overseas shipments could potentially disrupt international export market
Crop specialists say farmers should be more mindful if applying pre-harvest glyphosate this fall, given many fields have uneven levels of maturity. They say producers will have to make sure all crops reach their maturity level before applying. If they apply too early, residues could end up in kernels and potentially jeopardize markets. “Consumers around […] Read more
Bayer faces obstacles settling Roundup lawsuits
(Reuters) — Bayer is in mediation to potentially settle thousands of American lawsuits claiming that the company’s Roundup weed killer causes cancer, but some legal experts said the cases raise questions that may prevent an easy settlement. More than 18,400 plaintiffs claim Roundup causes a type of cancer called non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Bayer to date has […] Read more
Farmers urged to take extra care when applying fall glyphosate
Crop specialists say farmers should be more mindful if applying pre-harvest glyphosate this fall, given many fields have uneven levels of maturity. They say producers will have to make sure all crops reach their maturity level before applying. If they apply too early, residues could end up in kernels and potentially jeopardize markets. “Consumers around […] Read more
General Mills uses contracts to avoid glyphosate
Company hasn’t taken hard line on pre-harvest herbicide use but is experimenting with ways to avoid the practice
General Mills, like all companies, needs happy and satisfied customers. That’s why it’s asking suppliers, farmers who produce oats, wheat, sugar, soybeans and other commodities, to reduce pesticide use. “We can see the trends. Consumers want less pesticide in their food,” said John Wiebold, General Mills vice president, North American direct material sourcing. “They want […] Read more
