The Independent ran an article on Greenpeace calling into question the impartiality of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) ahead of an assessment of glyphosate. The article mentioned the NFU.
It was disappointing to see Ian Johnston helping to muddy the waters over glyphosate by highlighting the green lobby’s attempts to cast doubt over the impartiality of an expert committee looking at its safety (EU experts accused of conflict of interest over herbicide linked to cancer, Independent, March 7 2017).
As the comments from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in the story made clear, there is no story here and this appears to be nothing more than an attempt to try to discredit ECHA in case its final decision doesn’t reflect the view the green lobby shares.
The overwhelming scientific opinion is that glyphosate doesn’t pose a risk to human health if used correctly. Numerous regulatory bodies have reached this conclusion after looking at the scientific research, including the World Health Organisation, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Mr Johnston is right that the NFU has said the relicensing of glyphosate is a top priority and that its loss would have a significant impact. Independent agricultural consultants ADAS have estimated the loss of glyphosate could see UK production of winter wheat and barley fall by 12% and winter oilseed rape by 10%, which would impact food security and mean an increase in imports – neither of which will be good for the consumer.
Linking glyphosate to concerns about bee health seems to be little more than an attempt to use other topical issues to try and bolster arguments against it. The study Mr Johnston refers to was based on forcing bees to consume artificial doses of glyphosate and found no statistically significant impacts of glyphosate when tested at levels the authors consider based on normal field use.
It is crucial that the decision over glyphosate’s future – and the future of other products like it – is made based on the best available scientific evidence. It is also important the media gives a fully balanced view of the issue. I would be happy to arrange for Mr Johnston to visit a farm and see for himself how glyphosate is safe – and is vital for farming and food production.
Mike Hambly
NFU Combinable Crops Board chairman