Since the introduction of GE seeds in 1996, the amount of glyphosate used on crops in the United States has increased from 12 million litres to 113 million litres in 2009 according to a report by DrAndre Leu
Correspondingly the growing incidence of thyroid cancer and bladder cancer as shown on graphs have risen in direct proportion to the use of glyphosate.
Glyphosate – the active component of Roundup – has been assessed in March, 2015, by 17 independent experts for its carcinogenicity. It was given a rating of 2Awhich is for substances where there is sufficient evidence of causing cancer in animals and limited studies in humans. There are other scientific studies linking glyphosate to breast cancer, thyroid cancer and liver cancers as well as cell damage and gene mutations.
Monsanto, the makers of Roundup stands to lose billions of dollars if glyphosate is restricted or banned and is trying to have the report retracted as it claims the findings were invalid. Many in the scientific community feel that the only studies that should be invalid are the ones provided by Monsanto.
Did you know that France took Monsanto to court over its claim that Roundup was nonresidual? Guess who won the High Court battle after many years of legal fighting? France! Now, in France only, Monsanto has been legally forced to remove the claim from its label stating that it is nonresidual. Have they followed suit in other countries? Not many farmers realize this fact. Did you?
What has happened to farming that we have become so dependent on this chemical? Did you know that glyphosate is now the most commonly used herbicide in the world? Many farmers say that they hate using it but have no other choices. Of course, we disagree as we know thousands of successful farmers who use no toxic chemicals at all often after a family health scare.
Ref: Extracts from Andre Leu’s article in May 2015, Acres US p.12 and 13
