Just Label It, News Roundup 10-27

Monsanto’s glyphosate dominated the news this week. The European Parliament voted to ban glyphosate in 28 countries. And new research shows startling evidence that glyphosate is not only getting into our bodies, but has been doing so at increasing levels for decades. And contrary to Monsanto’s claims, glyphosate persists in soils, not only affecting soil fertility and crop quality, but also posing risks to human and environmental health. Consumer pressure has led Ben and Jerry’s to pledge its products will be free from ingredients tainted with glyphosate after tests found traces of the chemical in its ice cream. Ever since the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer released a report suggesting that glyphosate, the primary ingredient in Monsanto’s best-selling pesticide Roundup, could cause cancer, the company has led a relentless campaign to discredit the agency. Also in the news, the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility announced that new GM techniques must be strictly regulated as GMOs. Aside from the glyphosate controversy, Monsanto made news by suing Arkansas regulators for banning its disputed herbicide dicamba.

European Parliament Votes to Ban Glyphosate in 28 Countries

The European Parliament, representing 28 countries and more than 500 million people, voted Tuesday in support of phasing out glyphosate over the next five years and immediately banning its use in households. 

Monsanto’s War on the International Agency for Research on Cancer

Ever since the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer released a report suggesting that glyphosate, the primary ingredient in Monsanto’s best-selling pesticide Roundup, could cause cancer, there has been a relentless campaign to discredit the agency.

Ben & Jerry’s to launch glyphosate-free ice-cream after tests find traces of weed killer

Company pledges products will be free from ingredients tainted with controversial herbicide after the survey found traces in its European ice-creams. The company also pledges to source only organic dairy for a new line. 

Medical Journals: Monsanto Glyphosate in Pee, Bad for Health

New research in the prestigious medical journal JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) reports on the startling evidence that glyphosate—the main ingredient in Monsanto’s weed-killer, Roundup—is not only getting into our bodies but has been doing so at increasing levels for decades.

Glyphosate persists – and European topsoils are contaminated with it

A new research study from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and two Dutch laboratories shows that 45% of Europe’s topsoil contains glyphosate residues, demonstrating the over-reliance of the EU agricultural model on this harmful herbicide. Contrary to manufacturers’ claims, glyphosate persists in soils, not only affecting soil fertility and crop quality but also posing risks to human and environmental health. 

Products of New GM Techniques Must Be Strictly Regulated as GMOs, Say Scientists

The products of new genetic modification techniques (NGMTs) are genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and should be strictly regulated as such, according to a statement released Thursday by the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER).

Monsanto sues Arkansas board for banning disputed herbicide

A major agribusiness company sued Arkansas regulators on Friday for banning its version of an herbicide that’s drawn complaints from farmers across several states who say the weed killer has drifted onto their crops and caused widespread damage.

Ban of Herbicide Could Benefit Agriculture Prices

A debate over the weed killer dicamba could end up limiting the use of agriculture herbicides and result in winners and losers among chemical companies and farmers.