Damon Mcknight
The use of Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide, has been a topic of debate and legal scrutiny in Australia. While it is widely used in agriculture and home gardening due to its effectiveness in killing weeds, there are concerns about its potential health and environmental impacts, with some local governments and councils in Australia already phasing it out or pledging to review its use.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Roundup illegal in Australia? | No |
| Is Roundup safe? | Classified as safe by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). However, there are concerns about its potential health and environmental impacts. |
| Is Roundup widely used in Australia? | Yes, it is the most popular weedkiller in Australia and is used in agriculture, industrial areas, and home gardens. |
| Has Roundup been banned in any Australian states or councils? | No, but some local governments and councils in Australia have phased out or pledged to review the use of Roundup. |
| Has there been any legal action regarding Roundup in Australia? | Yes, there is a class action lawsuit involving more than 800 Australians with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who allege that their cancer is linked to Roundup exposure. |
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What You'll Learn
- Glyphosate is classified as probably carcinogenic by the WHO
- Australian councils are banning or reviewing the use of glyphosate
- Monsanto insists Roundup is safe and will appeal the US ruling
- Australian farmers welcome the EU's extension of glyphosate approval
- The APVMA considers glyphosate safe when used according to instructions
Glyphosate is classified as probably carcinogenic by the WHO
Glyphosate, the active chemical in Roundup, has been classified as "probably carcinogenic to humans" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a semi-autonomous unit of the WHO. This classification, designated as Group 2A, was based on "limited" evidence of cancer in humans from real-world exposures and "sufficient" evidence of cancer in experimental animals from studies of "pure" glyphosate. The IARC Working Group concluded that there was "strong" evidence of genotoxicity through mechanisms associated with human carcinogens, such as DNA damage and oxidative stress.
The IARC evaluation considered about 1000 studies, including real-world exposures and experimental studies. The real-world exposures examined involved people exposed through their jobs, such as farmers, and various formulations of glyphosate with other chemicals, reflecting how glyphosate is typically sold and used. The experimental studies investigated "pure" glyphosate and glyphosate-based formulations.
The IARC's conclusion differs from assessments by other agencies, such as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which considers glyphosate "not likely to be carcinogenic to humans." The discrepancy in conclusions arises from differing interpretations of scientific data and the weight assigned to various studies. For instance, the EPA's 2016 evaluation of glyphosate cited 52 genotoxicity assays, with only a small percentage reporting positive evidence of a genotoxic response.
The classification of glyphosate as a probable carcinogen has had significant legal and regulatory implications. In the United States, Monsanto, the manufacturer of Roundup, has faced numerous lawsuits from individuals blaming their non-Hodgkin lymphoma on glyphosate-based weedkillers. In Australia, similar legal actions have been initiated, and councils in Sydney and Victoria have phased out or reviewed the use of Roundup. However, Australia's chemical regulator, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), continues to classify Roundup as safe when used according to label directions.
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Australian councils are banning or reviewing the use of glyphosate
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum, non-selective herbicide used to control weeds and protect agricultural crops. It is the active ingredient in more than 500 herbicide products, including the popular weed killer Roundup. While glyphosate is widely used in Australia, with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) classifying it as safe, there have been concerns about its potential health risks, particularly its association with cancer.
In recent years, several Australian councils have taken steps to ban, phase out, or review the use of glyphosate due to health and safety concerns. Councils that have banned glyphosate include the Douglas Shire Council in Queensland, the Fairfield City Council in NSW, the City of South Perth in WA, and the Moyne Shire and Warrnambool City Council in Victoria. The Victorian Government has also initiated a six-week review of glyphosate use, and councils in Sydney, such as Willoughby, Ku-ring-gai, Sutherland Shire, and Waverley, are conducting their own reviews.
The decisions by these councils to restrict or re-evaluate glyphosate use are often driven by concerns about the potential health risks associated with the herbicide. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reclassified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans," which has sparked debates and legal challenges worldwide. While some organizations defend glyphosate's safety, citing extensive testing and regulatory approval, others argue that it poses a health risk, particularly when exposure is high.
The potential health risks associated with glyphosate have led to legal actions in Australia. In 2019, the first claim for damages related to glyphosate-based weed killers was lodged with the Supreme Court of Victoria, and a class action against the manufacturer of Roundup, Monsanto, is currently before the federal court. Hundreds of inquiries have been made to personal injury law firms, and Sydney firm LHD Lawyers is considering a class action against Bayer, the current owner of Monsanto.
While the APVMA maintains that glyphosate is safe when used according to label directions, the decisions by Australian councils to ban or review its use reflect the growing concerns about the potential health and environmental impacts of this herbicide. The economic implications of a glyphosate ban in Australia are also significant, with predictions of increased cropping costs and declines in farm profit, particularly for crop-dominant farm businesses.
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Monsanto insists Roundup is safe and will appeal the US ruling
Monsanto, the manufacturer of Roundup, has consistently denied claims that the herbicide causes cancer, insisting that it is safe for use. The company has faced thousands of lawsuits since its acquisition of Roundup's original producer in 2018, with plaintiffs alleging that exposure to the product caused them to develop non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Despite this, Monsanto has continued to deny the allegations, arguing that the plaintiffs' claims are based on "junk science".
In one notable case, Dewayne Johnson, a school groundskeeper, was awarded $289 million in damages (later reduced to $21 million after appeals) after a jury found that Monsanto had failed to adequately warn of the cancer risks associated with Roundup. Johnson's lawyers presented internal emails that allegedly proved Monsanto was aware of the risks and even worked to downplay the health concerns.
Monsanto has continued to appeal court rulings against them, including a recent $611 million verdict against the company in Missouri. The company intends to further appeal this decision, arguing that the lower court improperly allowed certain testimony. Despite these legal challenges, Monsanto maintains Roundup's safety and is committed to defending its product.
While the World Health Organization has classified glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, as "probably carcinogenic," regulatory agencies in Australia and the US continue to approve its use. The US Environmental Protection Agency, for instance, has determined that glyphosate does not pose a risk to human health. Similarly, Australia's chemical regulator, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, classifies Roundup as safe when used according to label directions.
The ongoing legal battles and concerns surrounding Roundup's safety have resulted in increased scrutiny of the product globally. Some local councils in Australia have phased out or pledged to review their use of Roundup. However, Australian farmers have defended the product, expressing concerns about potential restrictions and the impact on their industry.
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Australian farmers welcome the EU's extension of glyphosate approval
Australian farmers have welcomed the European Commission's decision to renew its approval of the weed killer glyphosate for another 10 years, saying a ban may have damaged Australian grain exports. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in more than 500 herbicide products, including the popular weed killer Roundup, which is used in backyard gardens and large-scale commercial cropping.
The decision comes as a landmark class action against the manufacturer of glyphosate weedkiller Roundup is before the federal court. The product has become increasingly controversial following speculation that it may cause cancer, a claim that is currently the subject of a class action in Australia. Over 800 Australians diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma have alleged their cancer is linked to their exposure to Roundup and are taking part in a class action against manufacturer Monsanto.
The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) chief executive, Tony Mahar, said the EU's decision "recognises the important role glyphosate plays in safe food and fibre production". He added that the NFF has long supported renewal in the EU, noting that this is consistent with contemporary scientific evidence. Shona Gawel, chief executive of peak body Grain Growers Australia, said there was "potential" for the EU to restrict Australian grain exports if glyphosate was banned. She added that glyphosate is a "really important tool for high-yielding crops in Australia" and is crucial when considering global food security.
Glyphosate-based products have been used safely and successfully in Europe for more than 40 years, and leading health regulators in Europe, the US, Australia, and elsewhere continue to conclude that they are safe when used as directed. Glyphosate-based herbicides are one of the most thoroughly studied products of their kind, which is a major reason why farmers worldwide continue to rely on them.
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The APVMA considers glyphosate safe when used according to instructions
The use of Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide, has been a topic of debate and legal scrutiny in Australia. While it is widely used in agriculture and home gardening due to its effectiveness in killing weeds, there are concerns about its potential health and environmental impacts. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in more than 500 herbicide products, including Roundup. It is effective in killing most plants by blocking an enzyme called 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate (EPSP) synthase, which is not found in humans or animals.
Despite the concerns, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) considers glyphosate products safe when used according to the instructions on the label. The APVMA assesses the safety of glyphosate products, and registered products are considered safe to use when the instructions are followed. Glyphosate has been found to have low toxicity for humans, animals, fish, insects (including bees), and other invertebrates in assessments by government regulators and independent scientists worldwide. The APVMA has published guidelines for the safe use of glyphosate products, and it is important to adhere to these instructions and safety protocols when using pesticides and herbicides.
While some local governments and councils in Australia have already phased out or pledged to review the use of Roundup, others defend its use. Victoria's environment department reviewed the use of glyphosate weedkillers on public land and found that it was safe to continue using them as long as proper safety protocols and internal procedures were followed. Similarly, the Australian Department of Education has stated that glyphosate products approved by the APVMA are safe for use in schools and playgrounds.
However, there is ongoing legal scrutiny regarding the safety of Roundup. In the United States, courts have ordered Bayer, the manufacturer of Roundup, to pay damages to several plaintiffs who blamed their non-Hodgkin lymphoma on glyphosate-based weedkillers. Similar lawsuits have been filed in Australia, with more than 800 Australians alleging that their cancer is linked to Roundup exposure. The outcome of these cases could have significant regulatory implications for the use of glyphosate-containing products in Australia.
In conclusion, while the APVMA considers glyphosate safe when used according to instructions, there are ongoing debates, legal scrutiny, and concerns from citizens and environmentalists about the potential health and environmental impacts of Roundup. The APVMA continues to monitor scientific literature and has stated that it will take appropriate action if new evidence emerges regarding the risks posed by glyphosate.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Roundup is not illegal in Australia. However, it is facing increasing scrutiny and there have been calls for a ban.
There are concerns about the potential health and environmental impacts of Roundup, particularly its active ingredient, glyphosate. Some believe it may be linked to cancer, and there have been lawsuits filed against the manufacturer, Monsanto.
While Roundup is not banned nationwide, some local governments and councils in Australia have phased it out or pledged to review its use. For example, Fairfield City Council in Sydney and Victoria's Moyne Council have stopped using Roundup.
There are alternative methods for weed control, such as steam-based treatments offered by companies like WeedTechnics. However, supporters of Roundup argue that banning it would encourage the use of less effective and potentially more harmful methods.
The Australian government, through its chemical regulator, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), classifies Roundup as safe when used according to label directions. The APVMA continues to monitor scientific literature and will take action if new evidence of risks emerges.
