sustainablepulse--2020-06-06--Pesticide Giants Get $2 Billion UK Taxpayer COVID-19 Bailout Despite Mammoth Dividend Plans

Chemicals manufacturers BASF and Bayer have been given enormous payouts of Covid-19 support cash from the British government just weeks after announcing plans to distribute billions to shareholders in dividends .
The world ’ s largest chemicals company BASF , which makes agricultural , industrial and automotive products at its eight UK plants , has received £1 billion in support funding — by far the biggest payout so far agreed under the UK scheme .
The news comes just weeks before BASF shareholders will vote on a proposal for the company distribute to more than three times that amount to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed to Unearthed .
Meanwhile Bayer , which acquired Monsanto in 2018 and is one of the industry ’ s biggest players in its own right , was handed £600 million – the same amount given to troubled airlines Ryanair and easyJet to much fanfare .
The Bayer bailout , disclosed by Bank of England this afternoon in its latest update on its COVID corporate financing facility , happened just weeks after shareholders approved a plan to distribute dividends worth £2.75 billion .
When contacted by Unearthed to see whether the dividends had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respond .
The Bank ’ s Covid-19 funds come without conditions , but Unearthed understands it expects firms to exercise ‘ restraint ’ with dividends payments and executive compensation .
Both BASF and Bayer are headquartered in Germany and listed on the Frankfurt stock exchange .
Simon Rawson , director of corporate engagement at ShareAction , said : “ Companies need to recognise the interests of all of their stakeholders , not just shareholders .
This includes their responsibilities to their workforce , their communities and the environment .
“ Where they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society ’ s expectations are rightly even higher .
It is hard to comprehend how companies can justify paying huge dividends in the current situation .
“ Economic stimulus packages need to support a green recovery , with strict environmental conditions for these chemical and pesticide companies , to ensure our planet is not overheated , polluted , and devoid of biodiversity.
” So far 53 companies have received a total of £16.25 billion in government relief , as per Bank of England ’ s latest update .
Polluting industries such as airlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services are among the largest receivers of the government loans .
Ryanair and easyJet have received £600m each as part of the scheme whilst WizzAir and British Airways were both given £300m , taking the sector ’ s total emergency funding to £1.8 billion .
Five carmakers were also on BofE ’ s emergency loan list , with Nissan receiving £600m , Toyota and Rolls Royce £300m and Honda £75m .
In total the motor industry is receiving just in excess of £1.6 billion .
Even oil and gas services firms like Baker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £150m ) are receiving vast amounts in emergency loans .

Chemicals manufacturers BASF and Bayer have been given enormous payouts of Covid-19 support cash from the British government just weeks after announcing plans to distribute billions to shareholders in dividends.
The world’s largest chemicals company BASF, which makes agricultural, industrial and automotive products at its eight UK plants, has received £1 billion in support funding — by far the biggest payout so far agreed under the UK scheme.
The news comes just weeks before BASF shareholders will vote on a proposal for the company distribute to more than three times that amount to them in dividends, the chemicals giant confirmed to Unearthed.
Meanwhile Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018 and is one of the industry’s biggest players in its own right, was handed £600 million – the same amount given to troubled airlines Ryanair and easyJet to much fanfare.
The Bayer bailout, disclosed by Bank of England this afternoon in its latest update on its COVID corporate financing facility, happened just weeks after shareholders approved a plan to distribute dividends worth £2.75 billion.
When contacted by Unearthed to see whether the dividends had already been paid out, Bayer failed to respond.
The Bank’s Covid-19 funds come without conditions, but Unearthed understands it expects firms to exercise ‘restraint’ with dividends payments and executive compensation.
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Both BASF and Bayer are headquartered in Germany and listed on the Frankfurt stock exchange.
Simon Rawson, director of corporate engagement at ShareAction, said: “Companies need to recognise the interests of all of their stakeholders, not just shareholders. This includes their responsibilities to their workforce, their communities and the environment.
“Where they are in receipt of taxpayer bailouts, society’s expectations are rightly even higher. It is hard to comprehend how companies can justify paying huge dividends in the current situation.
“Economic stimulus packages need to support a green recovery, with strict environmental conditions for these chemical and pesticide companies, to ensure our planet is not overheated, polluted, and devoid of biodiversity.”
Polluters
So far 53 companies have received a total of £16.25 billion in government relief, as per Bank of England’s latest update.
Polluting industries such as airlines, car companies and oil and gas services are among the largest receivers of the government loans.
Ryanair and easyJet have received £600m each as part of the scheme whilst WizzAir and British Airways were both given £300m, taking the sector’s total emergency funding to £1.8 billion.
Five carmakers were also on BofE’s emergency loan list, with Nissan receiving £600m, Toyota and Rolls Royce £300m and Honda £75m. In total the motor industry is receiving just in excess of £1.6 billion.
Even oil and gas services firms like Baker Hughes (£600m) and Schlumberger (£150m) are receiving vast amounts in emergency loans.


sustainablepulse--2020-06-16--Glyphosate Residue Free Certification Booms as Iconic Food Brands, SGS and SPINS Get Involved

The Detox Project ’ s Glyphosate Residue Free certification for food and supplement products is growing fast in the U.S. and Canadian markets and has now received international support from SGS , the world ’ s leading inspection , verification , testing and certification company .
In more excellent news for the booming Standard , The Detox Project announced Monday that SPINS , the leading provider of data and insights for the natural , organic and specialty products industry , will now be providing market data for Glyphosate Residue Free certification .
Some iconic brands have also joined the Glyphosate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PURIS ( main suppliers of Beyond Meat ) , Once Upon A Farm and Organifi .
Over 70 brands and 1500 products are now certified .
Glyphosate is the most used herbicide in the world ; its use has increased sharply over the last two decades with the introduction of GMO crops and pre-harvest spraying ( desiccation ) on some conventional crops .
However , the World Health Organization ’ s International Agency for Research on Cancer ( IARC ) has classified glyphosate as “ probably carcinogenic to humans ” and linked it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the California Environmental Protection Agency has added glyphosate to the Prop 65 list of carcinogenic chemicals .
A growing number of countries are banning its use .
SGS Laboratories Across Three Continents Approved to Provide Glyphosate Residue Free Testing The Detox Project has approved SGS ’ s state-of-the-art , ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories across Europe , North America and Asia .
The following laboratories are included in the program : Germany ( Berlin ) , Turkey ( Istanbul ) , Portugal ( Lisbon ) , Ukraine ( Odessa ) , USA ( Brookings/SD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India ( Chennai ) .
South Korea ( Uiwang ) and Vietnam ( Ho Chi Minh ) are now approved to provide testing to achieve certification against The Detox Project ’ s Standard ; with laboratories in Asia ( Colombo and Taipei ) and South America ( Lima ) expected to secure approval soon .
Anna Theil-Gangl , SGS Vice-President for Global Food Compliance & Analytics , said : “ Through our worldwide network of laboratories , our skilled technicians are best placed to develop and deliver the highest standards of food testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is working hard to protect consumers by encouraging transparency in the food and supplement industries about toxic chemicals and we look forward to supporting them in their ambitions.
” SPINS continues to expand the depth of reporting as it relates to certifications .
Brands , Shoppers , and Retailers view certifications as a trusted source which support decisions along the consumer path to purchase .
“ Our mission is to inform and support health and wellness needs of shoppers , brands and retailers by providing them with a full spectrum of data insights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis thus responding to lifestyle and diet preferences , needs and conditions .
With continuing growth of the focus on health , The Detox Project ’ s Glyphosate Residue Free certification is a noticeable component impacting shoppers ’ decisions.
” said Irina Mazur , President of SPINS Product Intelligence .
Glyphosate Residue Free certification has been growing fast and over 70 brands and 1500+ products are now certified .
In the next stage of development , The Detox Project , which owns the certification , is targeting international markets in Europe , Asia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exciting development in North America .
The Detox Project ’ s Director , Henry Rowlands , stated Monday that “ The speed of growth of the Glyphosate Residue Free market has even shocked us !
We are now welcoming iconic brands on board , as well as gaining international testing assistance from one of the best in the business – SGS .
This is a huge step forward for consumers , brands and retailers who appreciate and support the development of transparency in the food and supplement industries globally .
”

The Detox Project’s Glyphosate Residue Free certification for food and supplement products is growing fast in the U.S. and Canadian markets and has now received international support from SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company.
In more excellent news for the booming Standard, The Detox Project announced Monday that SPINS, the leading provider of data and insights for the natural, organic and specialty products industry, will now be providing market data for Glyphosate Residue Free certification.
Some iconic brands have also joined the Glyphosate Residue Free boom recently including Chobani, PURIS (main suppliers of Beyond Meat), Once Upon A Farm and Organifi. Over 70 brands and 1500 products are now certified.
Glyphosate is the most used herbicide in the world; its use has increased sharply over the last two decades with the introduction of GMO crops and pre-harvest spraying (desiccation) on some conventional crops. However, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” and linked it to Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, whilst the California Environmental Protection Agency has added glyphosate to the Prop 65 list of carcinogenic chemicals. A growing number of countries are banning its use.
SGS Laboratories Across Three Continents Approved to Provide Glyphosate Residue Free Testing
The Detox Project has approved SGS’s state-of-the-art, ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories across Europe, North America and Asia. The following laboratories are included in the program: Germany (Berlin), Turkey (Istanbul), Portugal (Lisbon), Ukraine (Odessa), USA (Brookings/SD), Canada (Vancouver), India (Chennai). South Korea (Uiwang) and Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh) are now approved to provide testing to achieve certification against The Detox Project’s Standard; with laboratories in Asia (Colombo and Taipei) and South America (Lima) expected to secure approval soon.
Anna Theil-Gangl, SGS Vice-President for Global Food Compliance & Analytics, said: “Through our worldwide network of laboratories, our skilled technicians are best placed to develop and deliver the highest standards of food testing and certification services. The Detox Project is working hard to protect consumers by encouraging transparency in the food and supplement industries about toxic chemicals and we look forward to supporting them in their ambitions.”
SPINS Includes Glyphosate Residue Free Data to Track Certification Growth
SPINS continues to expand the depth of reporting as it relates to certifications. Brands, Shoppers, and Retailers view certifications as a trusted source which support decisions along the consumer path to purchase.
“Our mission is to inform and support health and wellness needs of shoppers, brands and retailers by providing them with a full spectrum of data insights based on certifications, nutrition and ingredient analysis thus responding to lifestyle and diet preferences, needs and conditions. With continuing growth of the focus on health, The Detox Project’s Glyphosate Residue Free certification is a noticeable component impacting shoppers’ decisions.” said Irina Mazur, President of SPINS Product Intelligence.
The Detox Project Expands Glyphosate Residue Free Certification Globally
Glyphosate Residue Free certification has been growing fast and over 70 brands and 1500+ products are now certified.
In the next stage of development, The Detox Project, which owns the certification, is targeting international markets in Europe, Asia and Oceania as well as continuing the exciting development in North America.
The Detox Project’s Director, Henry Rowlands, stated Monday that “The speed of growth of the Glyphosate Residue Free market has even shocked us! We are now welcoming iconic brands on board, as well as gaining international testing assistance from one of the best in the business – SGS. This is a huge step forward for consumers, brands and retailers who appreciate and support the development of transparency in the food and supplement industries globally.”
More information on Glyphosate Residue Free certification: detoxproject.org/certification/glyphosate-residue-free/
List of Certified Products: detoxproject.org/certification/glyphosate-residue-free/certified-products/


sustainablepulse--2020-06-19--Public Interest Groups Set to Sue US EPA over Approval for Release of GMO Mosquitoes

Last Friday , environmental and other public interest organizations filed a formal pre-litigation notice with the Trump Administration stating their intention to sue the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) for its approval of the release of over a billion genetically engineered ( GE ) mosquitoes in Florida and Texas .
The open air experiment would be the first ever in the United States .
Under the Endangered Species Act ( ESA ) , EPA was required to consult the expert wildlife agencies on the potential impacts to protected species .
Instead , the administration summarily dismissed any possible environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With all the urgent crises facing our nation—the COVID-19 pandemic , racial injustice , climate change—the administration has used tax dollars and government resources for a Jurassic Park experiment , except without the island , ” said Jaydee Hanson , policy director at the International Center for Technology Assessment and Center for Food Safety .
“ What could possibly go wrong ?
We don ’ t know , because they unlawfully refused to seriously analyze environmental risks.
” “ The Florida Keys and Houston and the surrounding communities are home to some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country .
Once again , the Trump administration is callously disregarding scientific experts and the will of communities to force this risky experiment through , ” said Dana Perls , Program Manager , Food and Technology Campaign , Friends of the Earth U.S .
If EPA does not cure these violations within sixty days , the listed organizations intend to file suit against the responsible agencies and officials to enforce the ESA .
The organizations are Center for Food Safety ( CFS ) , Florida Keys Environmental Coalition , GMO Free USA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth , and the International Center for Technology Assessment ( ICTA ) .
On November 9 , 2016 , residents of Key Haven , Florida , the initial proposed release site of the GE mosquitoes , voted against the release of the insects , which were not adequately assessed for risk before being approved by the FDA .
In 2017 , residents of the Florida Keys again protested Oxitec ’ s application to EPA to release GE mosquitoes in their community .
Now , in 2020 , Florida Keys and Houston residents are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Experimental Use Permit ( EUP ) to release more than a billion GE mosquitoes in their communities .
The lack of independent scientific research on the release of GE mosquitoes constitutes a most troubling factor in the drive to release hundreds of millions of these insects .
While the desire to control mosquito-borne viral diseases like zika and dengue is understandable , Oxitec , the company manufacturing the GE mosquitoes , has not demonstrated that its release of the mosquitoes in Brazil , Cayman Islands , Panama , and Malaysia has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threats to endangered and protected species and sensitive ecosystems , and a lack of evidence to support the GE mosquitoes ’ efficacy at minimizing the spread of disease , there is little information about what ingesting these insects could do to people .
In Brazil , so many mosquitoes were released in the Oxitec trials ( millions are released multiple times a week ) that people complained of being forced to breathe in and eat mosquitoes .

Last Friday, environmental and other public interest organizations filed a formal pre-litigation notice with the Trump Administration stating their intention to sue the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its approval of the release of over a billion genetically engineered (GE) mosquitoes in Florida and Texas. The open air experiment would be the first ever in the United States. Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), EPA was required to consult the expert wildlife agencies on the potential impacts to protected species. Instead, the administration summarily dismissed any possible environmental risks in granting the approval.
“With all the urgent crises facing our nation—the COVID-19 pandemic, racial injustice, climate change—the administration has used tax dollars and government resources for a Jurassic Park experiment, except without the island,” said Jaydee Hanson, policy director at the International Center for Technology Assessment and Center for Food Safety. “What could possibly go wrong? We don’t know, because they unlawfully refused to seriously analyze environmental risks.”
“The Florida Keys and Houston and the surrounding communities are home to some of the most diverse and threatened species in our country. Once again, the Trump administration is callously disregarding scientific experts and the will of communities to force this risky experiment through,” said Dana Perls, Program Manager, Food and Technology Campaign, Friends of the Earth U.S.
If EPA does not cure these violations within sixty days, the listed organizations intend to file suit against the responsible agencies and officials to enforce the ESA. The organizations are Center for Food Safety (CFS), Florida Keys Environmental Coalition, GMO Free USA, Foundation Earth, Friends of the Earth, and the International Center for Technology Assessment (ICTA).
Background:
On November 9, 2016, residents of Key Haven, Florida, the initial proposed release site of the GE mosquitoes, voted against the release of the insects, which were not adequately assessed for risk before being approved by the FDA. In 2017, residents of the Florida Keys again protested Oxitec’s application to EPA to release GE mosquitoes in their community. Now, in 2020, Florida Keys and Houston residents are protesting EPA’s approval of Oxitec’s Experimental Use Permit (EUP) to release more than a billion GE mosquitoes in their communities.
The lack of independent scientific research on the release of GE mosquitoes constitutes a most troubling factor in the drive to release hundreds of millions of these insects. While the desire to control mosquito-borne viral diseases like zika and dengue is understandable, Oxitec, the company manufacturing the GE mosquitoes, has not demonstrated that its release of the mosquitoes in Brazil, Cayman Islands, Panama, and Malaysia has reduced disease.
In addition to potential threats to endangered and protected species and sensitive ecosystems, and a lack of evidence to support the GE mosquitoes’ efficacy at minimizing the spread of disease, there is little information about what ingesting these insects could do to people. In Brazil, so many mosquitoes were released in the Oxitec trials (millions are released multiple times a week) that people complained of being forced to breathe in and eat mosquitoes.


sustainablepulse--2020-06-19--US Expert Groups Request Court Action over EPA Dicamba Farce

U.S. farming and conservation groups asked the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals last week to find Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler in contempt for refusing to abide by a federal court order suspending use of the pesticide dicamba .
In response to last week ’ s court decision holding that the EPA wrongly approved formulations of the drift-prone pesticide that has damaged millions of acres of crops , the EPA issued an order allowing continued spraying through July 31 .
In approving ongoing use of dicamba through July , Wheeler cited what he asserted was the harm the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using dicamba .
But the court made clear that by wrongly approving use of the pesticide , the EPA is directly responsible for any harm to farmers—both those using dicamba and those whose crops have been damaged by it .
“ Trump ’ s EPA is so rogue it thinks it can blow off a federal court ruling that stops the damaging dicamba spraying in an administrative order , ” said George Kimbrell , of the Center for Food Safety , lead counsel in the case .
“ EPA needs a lesson in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking the court to give it to them.
” Last week , in response to a lawsuit filed by conservation groups and farmers harmed by dicamba drift , the court ruled that the Trump administration ’ s 2018 registration of these pesticide uses was unlawful .
The court said the EPA refused to consider an array of real world harms including the abundant evidence that dicamba damaged millions of acres of crops , groves and gardens .
The ruling highlighted the extensive drift damage that took place in the two summers after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agency ’ s approval of the drift-prone products made many growers switch to seeds genetically engineered to withstand dicamba simply because they feared it was the only way to protect their crops from the pesticide .
The court ordered sale and use to stop immediately on June 3 and the EPA has now in effect attempted unilaterally to extend that by two months .
In today ’ s emergency motion , the groups pointed out that the court could not have been any clearer in last week ’ s ruling .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended over-the-top in-season spraying of dicamba , effective immediately .
The EPA ’ s subsequent administrative order defied that ruling .
The groups asked the court today to enforce its ruling and hold Wheeler in contempt .
“ It ’ s mind-boggling to see the EPA blatantly ignore a court ruling , especially one that provides such important protections for farmers and the environment , ” said Stephanie Parent , a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity who is co-counsel in the case .
“ We ’ re asking this court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump EPA.
” Over 25 million pounds of the dicamba was set to be sprayed again this summer using the now-unlawful pesticides .
In last week ’ s ruling the court vacated the EPA ’ s approval of three formulations of the pesticide dicamba—Monsanto ’ s XtendiMax , Corteva ’ s FeXapan , and BASF ’ s Engenia—that EPA first registered for the 2017 season for “ new uses ” on Monsanto ’ s genetically engineered , dicamba-resistant soybeans and cotton .
In ruling the pesticide approval to be unlawful , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” caused by dicamba in the last few years , damage that has “ torn apart the social fabric of many farming communities .
”

U.S. farming and conservation groups asked the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals last week to find Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler in contempt for refusing to abide by a federal court order suspending use of the pesticide dicamba.
In response to last week’s court decision holding that the EPA wrongly approved formulations of the drift-prone pesticide that has damaged millions of acres of crops, the EPA issued an order allowing continued spraying through July 31.
Update: The Court sadly rejected the farming an conservation groups’ request.
In approving ongoing use of dicamba through July, Wheeler cited what he asserted was the harm the court’s ruling would have on farmers using dicamba. But the court made clear that by wrongly approving use of the pesticide, the EPA is directly responsible for any harm to farmers—both those using dicamba and those whose crops have been damaged by it.
“Trump’s EPA is so rogue it thinks it can blow off a federal court ruling that stops the damaging dicamba spraying in an administrative order,” said George Kimbrell, of the Center for Food Safety, lead counsel in the case. “EPA needs a lesson in separation of powers and we’re asking the court to give it to them.”
Last week, in response to a lawsuit filed by conservation groups and farmers harmed by dicamba drift, the court ruled that the Trump administration’s 2018 registration of these pesticide uses was unlawful.
The court said the EPA refused to consider an array of real world harms including the abundant evidence that dicamba damaged millions of acres of crops, groves and gardens.
The ruling highlighted the extensive drift damage that took place in the two summers after the EPA’s approval, and that the agency’s approval of the drift-prone products made many growers switch to seeds genetically engineered to withstand dicamba simply because they feared it was the only way to protect their crops from the pesticide. The court ordered sale and use to stop immediately on June 3 and the EPA has now in effect attempted unilaterally to extend that by two months.
In today’s emergency motion, the groups pointed out that the court could not have been any clearer in last week’s ruling. To stop the ongoing harm, the court suspended over-the-top in-season spraying of dicamba, effective immediately. The EPA’s subsequent administrative order defied that ruling. The groups asked the court today to enforce its ruling and hold Wheeler in contempt.
“It’s mind-boggling to see the EPA blatantly ignore a court ruling, especially one that provides such important protections for farmers and the environment,” said Stephanie Parent, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity who is co-counsel in the case. “We’re asking this court to restore the rule of law at the Trump EPA.”
Background:
Over 25 million pounds of the dicamba was set to be sprayed again this summer using the now-unlawful pesticides.
In last week’s ruling the court vacated the EPA’s approval of three formulations of the pesticide dicamba—Monsanto’s XtendiMax, Corteva’s FeXapan, and BASF’s Engenia—that EPA first registered for the 2017 season for “new uses” on Monsanto’s genetically engineered, dicamba-resistant soybeans and cotton.
In ruling the pesticide approval to be unlawful, the opinion cited “enormous and unprecedented damage” caused by dicamba in the last few years, damage that has “torn apart the social fabric of many farming communities.”
VIEW THE EMERGENCY MOTION >>


sustainablepulse--2020-06-19--Bayer Scraps U.S. Plans to Produce Crop Chemical Blocked by Court

Bayer AG said on Tuesday it will scrap a nearly $ 1 billion project to produce the chemical dicamba in the United States , but said the move is unrelated to a federal court decision that blocked sales of weed killers based on the product , Reuters reported .
The German-based company is moving to save cash as it wages an expensive legal battle to fight allegations that another product , its glyphosate-based weed killer Roundup , causes cancer .
Bayer denies the claims .
The company said it is halting work on a new dicamba plant in Luling , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chemical made the investment less attractive .
Instead , Bayer will continue to buy dicamba and produce its XtendiMax herbicide at another plant in Iowa , according to a statement .
“ Stopping construction enables us to preserve cash and prioritize our investments in new innovation for farmers , ” Bayer said .
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on June 3 that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency substantially understated the risks related to the use of dicamba , which is sprayed on soybeans and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chemical .
The herbicides are known to drift away and damage other crops that are not resistant .
The EPA subsequently said farmers can use existing supplies of dicamba-based herbicides , which are also sold by rivals BASF SE and Corteva Inc , until July 31 .

Bayer AG said on Tuesday it will scrap a nearly $1 billion project to produce the chemical dicamba in the United States, but said the move is unrelated to a federal court decision that blocked sales of weed killers based on the product, Reuters reported.
The German-based company is moving to save cash as it wages an expensive legal battle to fight allegations that another product, its glyphosate-based weed killer Roundup, causes cancer. Bayer denies the claims.
The company said it is halting work on a new dicamba plant in Luling, Louisiana, because global overcapacity for producing the chemical made the investment less attractive. Instead, Bayer will continue to buy dicamba and produce its XtendiMax herbicide at another plant in Iowa, according to a statement.
“Stopping construction enables us to preserve cash and prioritize our investments in new innovation for farmers,” Bayer said.
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on June 3 that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency substantially understated the risks related to the use of dicamba, which is sprayed on soybeans and cotton that Bayer genetically engineered to resist the chemical. The herbicides are known to drift away and damage other crops that are not resistant.
The EPA subsequently said farmers can use existing supplies of dicamba-based herbicides, which are also sold by rivals BASF SE and Corteva Inc, until July 31.


sustainablepulse--2020-06-24--California Judge Sides with Bayer-Monsanto over Roundup Cancer Warning Labels

A federal judge in California has blocked efforts by the state to require cancer warning labels on Bayer-Monsanto ’ s signature weedkiller , Roundup .
Glyphosate , the active ingredient in Roundup , is the most widely used herbicide in the world .
In 2015 , it was classified as “ probably carcinogenic ” to people by the International Agency for Research on Cancer , or IARC .
The IARC has steadfastly defended that decision despite ongoing attacks by Monsanto .
In 2017 , glyphosate was also listed by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment , or OEHHA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state to cause cancer .
That OEHHA decision set in motion plans to list glyphosate as a chemical known to cause cancer under California ’ s Proposition 65 law requiring warning labels on products that contain carcinogenic chemical ingredients .
But U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb ignored OEHHA ’ s listing .
“ This decision , while cheered on by Bayer-Monsanto and the agricultural chemical industry , is a blow to the right of every Californian to know whether widely available , widely used products like Roundup could cause cancer , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a California resident .
“ The judge clearly ignored the overwhelming science that compelled both IARC and California ’ s top scientists to sound the alarm over glyphosate ’ s risks.
” Monsanto and other agribusiness interests sued California over its decision to warn the state ’ s residents about the potential cancer risks from exposure to glyphosate .
“ Requiring a simple label on products that contain chemicals linked to cancer would certainly seem reasonable to millions of California families , ” Cook said .
“ But it appears that protecting Bayer-Monsanto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health , drove Judge Shubb ’ s decision.
” In his decision , Shubb claimed requiring a cancer warning label for glyphosate was a violation of the company ’ s right to free speech .
He wrote : “ Every regulator of which the court is aware , with the sole exception of the IARC , has found that glyphosate does not cause cancer or that there is insufficient evidence to show that it does.
” The Environmental Protection Agency , which regulates pesticides at the federal level , and the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monsanto .
A March 2017 New York Times investigation detailed Monsanto ’ s tooth-and-nail fight to subvert scientific research into the dangers of glyphosate , including potential collusion with a top EPA official who may have helped suppress evidence of glyphosate ’ s risk to human health .

A federal judge in California has blocked efforts by the state to require cancer warning labels on Bayer-Monsanto’s signature weedkiller, Roundup.
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is the most widely used herbicide in the world. In 2015, it was classified as “probably carcinogenic” to people by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, or IARC. The IARC has steadfastly defended that decision despite ongoing attacks by Monsanto.
In 2017, glyphosate was also listed by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, or OEHHA, as a chemical known to the state to cause cancer. That OEHHA decision set in motion plans to list glyphosate as a chemical known to cause cancer under California’s Proposition 65 law requiring warning labels on products that contain carcinogenic chemical ingredients. But U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb ignored OEHHA’s listing.
“This decision, while cheered on by Bayer-Monsanto and the agricultural chemical industry, is a blow to the right of every Californian to know whether widely available, widely used products like Roundup could cause cancer,” said EWG President Ken Cook, himself a California resident. “The judge clearly ignored the overwhelming science that compelled both IARC and California’s top scientists to sound the alarm over glyphosate’s risks.”
Monsanto and other agribusiness interests sued California over its decision to warn the state’s residents about the potential cancer risks from exposure to glyphosate.
Glyphosate Box Glyphosate Residue Free Certification for Food Brands – Click Here Test Your Food and Water at Home for Glyphosate – Click Here Test Your Hair for Glyphosate and other Pesticides – Click Here to Find Out Your Long-Term Exposure
“Requiring a simple label on products that contain chemicals linked to cancer would certainly seem reasonable to millions of California families,” Cook said. “But it appears that protecting Bayer-Monsanto’s bottom line, rather than public health, drove Judge Shubb’s decision.”
In his decision, Shubb claimed requiring a cancer warning label for glyphosate was a violation of the company’s right to free speech. He wrote: “Every regulator of which the court is aware, with the sole exception of the IARC, has found that glyphosate does not cause cancer or that there is insufficient evidence to show that it does.”
The Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates pesticides at the federal level, and the Trump administration have long taken the side of Monsanto.
A March 2017 New York Times investigation detailed Monsanto’s tooth-and-nail fight to subvert scientific research into the dangers of glyphosate, including potential collusion with a top EPA official who may have helped suppress evidence of glyphosate’s risk to human health.


sustainablepulse--2020-06-24--Bayer Settles Glyphosate Cancer Lawsuits for $10.9 Billion

Bayer-Monsanto have announced that the company will make a total payment of $ 10.1 billion to $ 10.9 billion ( €9.1 billion to €9.8 billion ) to settle the non-Hodgkin ’ s Lymphoma Roundup litigation in the U.S.. Roundup is the most sold glyphosate-based herbicide in the world .
The settlement covers approximately 75 % of the current Roundup litigation involving approximately 125,000 filed and unfiled claims overall .
Bayer also settled Wednesday the recent dicamba drift litigation for payment of up to $ 400 million and a portion of the PCB water litigation exposure for payment of approximately $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payment of $ 8.8 billion to $ 9.6 billion to resolve the current Roundup litigation , including an allowance expected to cover unresolved claims , and $ 1.25 billion to support a separate class agreement to address potential future litigation .
The Roundup class agreement will be subject to approval by Judge Vince Chhabria of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California .
The resolutions were approved unanimously by Bayer ’ s Board of Management and Supervisory Board with input from its Special Litigation Committee .
“ The Roundup agreements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution to a unique litigation , ” said Kenneth R. Feinberg , court-appointed mediator for the settlement talks .
The three cases that have gone to trial so far – Johnson , Hardeman and Pilliod – will continue through the appeals process and are not covered by the settlement .
Roundup is currently under even more health scrutiny , as a group of independent scientific institutions has recently gathered together to perform the most comprehensive safety study ever on the weedkiller – the Global Glyphosate Study – and initial pilot results are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bayer-Monsanto .
So despite this settlement Bayer is certainly not out of the woods yet on this issue .
In August 2018 Bayer-Monsanto lost a landmark cancer trial in San Francisco and was ordered by the Judge to pay over USD 289 Million in total damages to the former school groundskeeper Dewayne Johnson , a California father who has non-Hodgkin ’ s lymphoma , which was caused by Monsanto ’ s glyphosate-based weedkiller Roundup .
The case opened the floodgates and enabled thousands of other cancer sufferers to sue the company across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma after spraying the glyphosate-based Roundup weed killer for two and a half years .
Monsanto is responsible for Dewayne “ Lee ” Johnson ’ s illness , suffering and reduced life expectancy because of the cancer-causing nature of its product , glyphosate-based weedkiller Roundup , the San Francisco Superior Court jury determined .
The jury deliberated for three days after a four-week trial .
Glyphosate , the world ’ s most sold herbicide , was classified as a probable human carcinogen in 2015 by the International Agency for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the World Health Organization .
Monsanto , now a subsidiary of Bayer , held the initial patent and remains the leading distributor .
Bayer also announced Wednesday a mass tort agreement to settle the previously disclosed dicamba drift litigation involving alleged damage to crops .
The company will pay up to a total of $ 400 million to resolve the multi-district litigation pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and claims for the 2015-2020 crop years .
Claimants will be required to provide proof of damage to crop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to dicamba in order to collect .
The company expects a contribution from its co-defendant , BASF , towards this settlement .
The only dicamba drift case to go to trial – Bader Farms – is not included in this resolution .
Bayer also revealed Wednesday a series of agreements that resolve cases representing some of the company ’ s exposure to PCB water litigation .
Monsanto manufactured PCBs until ceasing their production in 1977 .
One agreement establishes a class that includes all local governments with EPA permits involving water discharges impaired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of approximately $ 650 million to the class , which will be subject to court approval .
At the same time , the company has entered into separate agreements with the Attorneys-General of New Mexico , Washington , and the District of Columbia to resolve similar PCB claims .
For these agreements , which are separate from the class , Bayer will make payments that together total approximately $ 170 million .

Bayer-Monsanto have announced that the company will make a total payment of $10.1 billion to $10.9 billion (€9.1 billion to €9.8 billion) to settle the non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Roundup litigation in the U.S.. Roundup is the most sold glyphosate-based herbicide in the world.
The settlement covers approximately 75% of the current Roundup litigation involving approximately 125,000 filed and unfiled claims overall.
Bayer also settled Wednesday the recent dicamba drift litigation for payment of up to $400 million and a portion of the PCB water litigation exposure for payment of approximately $820 million.
Bayer-Monsanto will make a payment of $8.8 billion to $9.6 billion to resolve the current Roundup litigation, including an allowance expected to cover unresolved claims, and $1.25 billion to support a separate class agreement to address potential future litigation. The Roundup class agreement will be subject to approval by Judge Vince Chhabria of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The resolutions were approved unanimously by Bayer’s Board of Management and Supervisory Board with input from its Special Litigation Committee.
“The Roundup agreements are designed as a constructive and reasonable resolution to a unique litigation,” said Kenneth R. Feinberg, court-appointed mediator for the settlement talks.
The three cases that have gone to trial so far – Johnson, Hardeman and Pilliod – will continue through the appeals process and are not covered by the settlement.
Roundup is currently under even more health scrutiny, as a group of independent scientific institutions has recently gathered together to perform the most comprehensive safety study ever on the weedkiller – the Global Glyphosate Study – and initial pilot results are not positive for glyphosate-based herbicide manufacturers such as Bayer-Monsanto. So despite this settlement Bayer is certainly not out of the woods yet on this issue.
Roundup Litigation Background:
In August 2018 Bayer-Monsanto lost a landmark cancer trial in San Francisco and was ordered by the Judge to pay over USD 289 Million in total damages to the former school groundskeeper Dewayne Johnson, a California father who has non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which was caused by Monsanto’s glyphosate-based weedkiller Roundup. The case opened the floodgates and enabled thousands of other cancer sufferers to sue the company across the U.S..
Glyphosate Box Glyphosate Residue Free Certification for Food Brands – Click Here Test Your Food and Water at Home for Glyphosate – Click Here Test Your Hair for Glyphosate and other Pesticides – Click Here to Find Our Your Long-Term Exposure
Johnson’s attorneys said he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma after spraying the glyphosate-based Roundup weed killer for two and a half years.
Monsanto is responsible for Dewayne “Lee” Johnson’s illness, suffering and reduced life expectancy because of the cancer-causing nature of its product, glyphosate-based weedkiller Roundup, the San Francisco Superior Court jury determined. The jury deliberated for three days after a four-week trial.
Glyphosate, the world’s most sold herbicide, was classified as a probable human carcinogen in 2015 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an arm of the World Health Organization. Monsanto, now a subsidiary of Bayer, held the initial patent and remains the leading distributor.
Resolution of dicamba litigation
Bayer also announced Wednesday a mass tort agreement to settle the previously disclosed dicamba drift litigation involving alleged damage to crops. The company will pay up to a total of $400 million to resolve the multi-district litigation pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and claims for the 2015-2020 crop years. Claimants will be required to provide proof of damage to crop yields and evidence that it was due to dicamba in order to collect. The company expects a contribution from its co-defendant, BASF, towards this settlement.
The only dicamba drift case to go to trial – Bader Farms – is not included in this resolution.
Resolution of PCB litigation
Bayer also revealed Wednesday a series of agreements that resolve cases representing some of the company’s exposure to PCB water litigation. Monsanto manufactured PCBs until ceasing their production in 1977. One agreement establishes a class that includes all local governments with EPA permits involving water discharges impaired by PCBs. Bayer will pay a total of approximately $650 million to the class, which will be subject to court approval.
At the same time, the company has entered into separate agreements with the Attorneys-General of New Mexico, Washington, and the District of Columbia to resolve similar PCB claims. For these agreements, which are separate from the class, Bayer will make payments that together total approximately $170 million.


sustainablepulse--2020-06-27--Mexico Announces Phase-Out and Ban on Glyphosate Herbicides

The Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources ( SEMARNAT ) , Mexico ’ s Environment Ministry , has announced that glyphosate-based herbicides will be phased out of use in the country by 2024 to protect human health and the environment .
SEMARNAT announced late Thursday that it has created a roadmap for the gradual reduction of the use of glyphosate in Mexico until it reaches a total ban in 2024 .
Sustainable Pulse has translated and published the SEMARNAT announcement in full : “ Given the scientific evidence of glyphosate toxicity , demonstrating the impacts on human health and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Natural Resources ( SEMARNAT ) has taken important steps to gradually reduce the use of this chemical until it achieves a total ban in 2024 .
Dr. Adelita San Vicente Tello , Director General of the Primary Sector and Renewable Natural Resources at SEMARNAT , announced the news after participating in the conversation Why will Mexico join the ban on glyphosate ?
organized by the National Autonomous University of Mexico ’ s ( UNAM ) Academic Observatory of Society , Environment and Institutions .
Damián Marino , from the National University of La @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Metropolitan Autonomous University , Xochimilco ; Fernando Bejarano , of the Action Network on Pesticides and Alternatives in Mexico ( Rapam ) , and Leticia López of the National Association of Marketing Companies of Camp Producers ( ANEC ) , all supported the strong decision that SEMARNAT has made on this issue .
San Vicente Tello explained that the issue of pesticides has provoked a great struggle for several years , and now SEMARNAT , with Victor M. Toledo at the helm , is taking determined steps towards the transformation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to make it “ safer , healthier and more environmentally friendly ” , as part of which it has identified the gradual reduction of glyphosate with alternative methods as critical .
Among the actions that have already been taken , she recalled that in November last year , under the precautionary principle for the prevention of environmental risks , SEMARNAT stopped the import of a thousand tons of glyphosate .
She also explained that the Committee on Health , Food , Environment and Competitiveness ( GISAMAC ) was also established in 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vision for major health and environmental problems .
The Ministry recently gave its full support to the policy introduced by the Committee for the urgent attention of environmental issues for the benefit of the health and well-being of the Mexican population .
San Vicente Tello said that , together with the National Council of Science and Technology , she is analyzing alternatives to the use of glyphosate-herbicides for large-scale agricultural production , as there are many weed management experiences with methods that farmers themselves and indigenous communities have applied for thousands of years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being prepared with different medias , such as infographics and videos that will be translated into several languages and will include data and independent scientific sources on the effects of glyphosate-based herbicides on the environment and health , with the purpose of alerting the population to the risks involved from their use .
During and after these campaigns the general public and specific communities can draw their own conclusions .
Finally , San Vicente Tello reiterated that in the face of this problem we all have to act , because “ beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health ” .
”

The Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), Mexico’s Environment Ministry, has announced that glyphosate-based herbicides will be phased out of use in the country by 2024 to protect human health and the environment.
SEMARNAT announced late Thursday that it has created a roadmap for the gradual reduction of the use of glyphosate in Mexico until it reaches a total ban in 2024.
Sustainable Pulse has translated and published the SEMARNAT announcement in full:
“Given the scientific evidence of glyphosate toxicity, demonstrating the impacts on human health and the environment, the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) has taken important steps to gradually reduce the use of this chemical until it achieves a total ban in 2024.
Dr. Adelita San Vicente Tello, Director General of the Primary Sector and Renewable Natural Resources at SEMARNAT, announced the news after participating in the conversation Why will Mexico join the ban on glyphosate? organized by the National Autonomous University of Mexico’s (UNAM) Academic Observatory of Society, Environment and Institutions.
Damián Marino, from the National University of La Plata, Argentina; Emmanuel González, of the Metropolitan Autonomous University, Xochimilco; Fernando Bejarano, of the Action Network on Pesticides and Alternatives in Mexico (Rapam), and Leticia López of the National Association of Rural Marketing Companies (ANEC), all supported the strong decision that SEMARNAT has made on this issue.
Glyphosate Box Glyphosate Residue Free Certification for Food Brands – Click Here Test Your Food and Water at Home for Glyphosate – Click Here Test Your Hair for Glyphosate and other Pesticides – Click Here to Find Our Your Long-Term Exposure
San Vicente Tello explained that the issue of pesticides has provoked a great struggle for several years, and now SEMARNAT, with Victor M. Toledo at the helm, is taking determined steps towards the transformation of the country’s agri-food system in order to make it “safer, healthier and more environmentally friendly”, as part of which it has identified the gradual reduction of glyphosate with alternative methods as critical.
Among the actions that have already been taken, she recalled that in November last year, under the precautionary principle for the prevention of environmental risks, SEMARNAT stopped the import of a thousand tons of glyphosate.
She also explained that the Committee on Health, Food, Environment and Competitiveness (GISAMAC) was also established in 2019 with the aim of having a national vision for major health and environmental problems. The Ministry recently gave its full support to the policy introduced by the Committee for the urgent attention of environmental issues for the benefit of the health and well-being of the Mexican population.
San Vicente Tello said that, together with the National Council of Science and Technology, she is analyzing alternatives to the use of glyphosate-herbicides for large-scale agricultural production, as there are many weed management experiences with methods that farmers themselves and indigenous communities have applied for thousands of years.
In addition, government education campaigns are being prepared with different medias, such as infographics and videos that will be translated into several languages and will include data and independent scientific sources on the effects of glyphosate-based herbicides on the environment and health, with the purpose of alerting the population to the risks involved from their use. During and after these campaigns the general public and specific communities can draw their own conclusions.
Finally, San Vicente Tello reiterated that in the face of this problem we all have to act, because “beyond productivity, there is human and environmental health”.”


sustainablepulse--2020-07-07--US Court Frowns on Bayer’s Proposed Roundup Class-Action Settlement

A federal judge on Monday had harsh words for Bayer AG ’ s plan to delay potential future Roundup class-action cancer lawsuits and block jury trials , criticizing the highly unusual proposal crafted by Bayer and a small group of plaintiffs ’ attorneys as potentially unconstitutional , USRTK reported Monday .
The “ Court is skeptical of the propriety and fairness of the proposed settlement , and is tentatively inclined to deny the motion , ” reads the preliminary order issued by Judge Vince Chhabria of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California .
The judge ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blow to Bayer and the company ’ s efforts to resolve a legacy of litigation attached to Monsanto , which Bayer bought two years ago .
More than 100,000 people in the United States claim exposure to Monsanto ’ s glyphosate-based Roundup herbicides caused them to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma ( NHL ) and that Monsanto long knew about and covered up the cancer risks .
Three jury trials have been held in the last two years and Monsanto lost all three with juries awarding more than $ 2 billion in damages .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bayer has been scrambling to avoid future jury trials .
Last month Bayer said it had reached agreements to settle the majority of lawsuits currently filed and had crafted a plan for handling cases that likely would be filed in the future .
To handle the current litigation Bayer said it will pay up to $ 9.6 billion to resolve roughly 75 percent of the current claims and will continue working to settle the rest .
In the plan for handling potential future cases , Bayer said it was working with a small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make more than $ 150 million in fees in exchange for agreeing to a four-year “ standstill ” in filing cases .
This plan would apply to people who may be diagnosed in the future with NHL they believe is due to Roundup exposure .
In contrast to Monsanto ’ s settlement of the pending cases against it , settlement of this new “ futures ” class action requires court approval .
In addition to delaying more trials , the deal calls for the establishment of a five-member “ science panel ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancer claims out of the hands of juries .
Instead , a “ Class Science Panel ” would be established to determine whether Roundup can cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma , and if so , at what minimum exposure levels .
Bayer would get to appoint two of the five panel members .
If the panel determined there was no causal connection between Roundup and non-Hodgkin lymphoma then the class members would be barred from future such claims .
Several members of the lead law firms who won the three Roundup class-action cancer trials oppose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying it would deprive future plaintiffs of their rights while enriching a handful of lawyers who have not previously been at the forefront of the Roundup litigation .
The plan requires the approval of Judge Chhabria , but the order issued Monday indicated he does not plan to grant approval .
“ In an area where the science may be evolving , how could it be appropriate to lock in a decision from a panel of scientists for all future cases ?
” the judge asked in his order .
The judge said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 on the motion for preliminary approval of the Roundup class-action settlement .
“ Given the Court ’ s current skepticism , it could be contrary to everyone ’ s interest to delay the hearing on preliminary approval , ” he wrote in his order .

A federal judge on Monday had harsh words for Bayer AG’s plan to delay potential future Roundup class-action cancer lawsuits and block jury trials, criticizing the highly unusual proposal crafted by Bayer and a small group of plaintiffs’ attorneys as potentially unconstitutional, USRTK reported Monday.
The “Court is skeptical of the propriety and fairness of the proposed settlement, and is tentatively inclined to deny the motion,” reads the preliminary order issued by Judge Vince Chhabria of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The judge’s position appears to be a sharp blow to Bayer and the company’s efforts to resolve a legacy of litigation attached to Monsanto, which Bayer bought two years ago.
Update: Monsanto owner Bayer AG is backing away from a plan to contain future Roundup cancer claims after the federal judge as reported made it clear he would not approve the scheme, which would delay new trials and limit jury decision-making. Read More
More than 100,000 people in the United States claim exposure to Monsanto’s glyphosate-based Roundup herbicides caused them to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and that Monsanto long knew about and covered up the cancer risks.
Three jury trials have been held in the last two years and Monsanto lost all three with juries awarding more than $2 billion in damages. All the cases are now on appeal and Bayer has been scrambling to avoid future jury trials.
Last month Bayer said it had reached agreements to settle the majority of lawsuits currently filed and had crafted a plan for handling cases that likely would be filed in the future. To handle the current litigation Bayer said it will pay up to $9.6 billion to resolve roughly 75 percent of the current claims and will continue working to settle the rest.
In the plan for handling potential future cases, Bayer said it was working with a small group of plaintiffs’ attorneys who stand to make more than $150 million in fees in exchange for agreeing to a four-year “standstill” in filing cases. This plan would apply to people who may be diagnosed in the future with NHL they believe is due to Roundup exposure. In contrast to Monsanto’s settlement of the pending cases against it, settlement of this new “futures” class action requires court approval.
In addition to delaying more trials, the deal calls for the establishment of a five-member “science panel” that would take any future findings on cancer claims out of the hands of juries. Instead, a “Class Science Panel” would be established to determine whether Roundup can cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and if so, at what minimum exposure levels. Bayer would get to appoint two of the five panel members. If the panel determined there was no causal connection between Roundup and non-Hodgkin lymphoma then the class members would be barred from future such claims.
Several members of the lead law firms who won the three Roundup class-action cancer trials oppose the proposed class action settlement plan, saying it would deprive future plaintiffs of their rights while enriching a handful of lawyers who have not previously been at the forefront of the Roundup litigation.
The plan requires the approval of Judge Chhabria, but the order issued Monday indicated he does not plan to grant approval.
“In an area where the science may be evolving, how could it be appropriate to lock in a decision from a panel of scientists for all future cases?” the judge asked in his order.
The judge said he will hold a hearing on July 24 on the motion for preliminary approval of the Roundup class-action settlement. “Given the Court’s current skepticism, it could be contrary to everyone’s interest to delay the hearing on preliminary approval,” he wrote in his order.


sustainablepulse--2020-07-07--Louisiana Study Identifies Pesticides as Major Parkinson’s Disease Factor

One ’ s zip code plays an important role in the likelihood of developing Parkinson ’ s disease ( PD ) , according to data published by Louisiana State University researchers in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health .
With genetics and exposure to agricultural pesticide use identified as the main factors affecting Parkinson ’ s disease , proximity to certain cropland and its effluent had a major impact on disease risk .
As with most environmentally related diseases , this study highlights the disproportionate risk and environmental racism low income , indigenous and people of color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 23,000 PD diagnoses in Louisiana between 1999 and 2012 , and mapped these data by zip code .
Risk was determined calculating the number of diagnoses per 10,000 people in a given zip code , based on census data .
To flesh out the role agriculture was playing in PD diagnoses , additional data derived from water quality samples taken by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals , and the U.S. Geological Survey pesticide use estimates were compared against reported disease incidence .
Results show that certain zip codes faced significantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state .
Further , “ The PD high-risk areas match closely the arbor-pastoral areas of the state that are of deciduous and evergreen forests , forest not otherwise specified , and grass/pastures , ” the study indicates .
In Allen and Evangeline parishes , with heavy timber operations and abundant pasture land , researchers found upwards of 35 diagnoses per 10,000 residents .
The average annual incidence of of the disease in the state was found to be 2.9 per 10,000 people .
According to census data , nearly 30 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poverty line , and roughly 1 in 5 adults under the age of 65 have a disability .
Researchers note that areas with high aquifer recharge potential had higher rates of PD diagnoses .
The Sabine River , and the contribution of Texas agriculture was specifically cited in the study .
“ One does not have to be living on a riverbank to be drinking its water , ” the study reads .
In particular , the authors indicate that a number of Native American communities live the Sabine River aquifer and are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for drinking water to be contaminated .
The study identifies pesticide use , specifically 2,4-D , paraquat , and chlorpyrifos , on pasture land , forestry , or woodland operations , as major risk factors for PD .
Areas where these chemicals quickly seep into drinking water are at highest risk .
The authors indicate that a transition to glyphosate-tolerant crops seemed to lessen the disease risk in certain agricultural areas .
However , given glyphosate ’ s strong links to cancer , it is possible that risks shifted to different disease outcomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporarily replaced the use of 2,4-D in many cropping systems , with glyphosate resistance on the rise , 2,4-D is making its way back into heavy use .
In fact , the agricultural industry is now speeding towards multi-herbicide tolerant cropping systems , resulting in a much greater public health threat than any prior cropping system .
The study concludes with the following , “ three aspects of Parkinson ’ s disease that need to be kept in mind : ( 1 ) It is , unfortunately , a disease that can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevented ; ( 2 ) It is part of the agricultural ecology ; ( 3 ) It is dynamic ; its expression can change .
”

One’s zip code plays an important role in the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to data published by Louisiana State University researchers in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
With genetics and exposure to agricultural pesticide use identified as the main factors affecting Parkinson’s disease, proximity to certain cropland and its effluent had a major impact on disease risk. As with most environmentally related diseases, this study highlights the disproportionate risk and environmental racism low income, indigenous and people of color communities endure.
Researchers received access to over 23,000 PD diagnoses in Louisiana between 1999 and 2012, and mapped these data by zip code. Risk was determined calculating the number of diagnoses per 10,000 people in a given zip code, based on census data.
To flesh out the role agriculture was playing in PD diagnoses, additional data derived from water quality samples taken by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, and the U.S. Geological Survey pesticide use estimates were compared against reported disease incidence.
Results show that certain zip codes faced significantly higher incidence of PD than others in the state. Further, “The PD high-risk areas match closely the arbor-pastoral areas of the state that are of deciduous and evergreen forests, forest not otherwise specified, and grass/pastures,” the study indicates. In Allen and Evangeline parishes, with heavy timber operations and abundant pasture land, researchers found upwards of 35 diagnoses per 10,000 residents.
The average annual incidence of of the disease in the state was found to be 2.9 per 10,000 people. According to census data, nearly 30% of people in Evangeline parish live below the poverty line, and roughly 1 in 5 adults under the age of 65 have a disability.
Researchers note that areas with high aquifer recharge potential had higher rates of PD diagnoses. The Sabine River, and the contribution of Texas agriculture was specifically cited in the study. “One does not have to be living on a riverbank to be drinking its water,” the study reads. In particular, the authors indicate that a number of Native American communities live the Sabine River aquifer and are at elevated risk due to the potential for drinking water to be contaminated.
The study identifies pesticide use, specifically 2,4-D, paraquat, and chlorpyrifos, on pasture land, forestry, or woodland operations, as major risk factors for PD. Areas where these chemicals quickly seep into drinking water are at highest risk. The authors indicate that a transition to glyphosate-tolerant crops seemed to lessen the disease risk in certain agricultural areas.
However, given glyphosate’s strong links to cancer, it is possible that risks shifted to different disease outcomes. Further, while glyphosate may have temporarily replaced the use of 2,4-D in many cropping systems, with glyphosate resistance on the rise, 2,4-D is making its way back into heavy use. In fact, the agricultural industry is now speeding towards multi-herbicide tolerant cropping systems, resulting in a much greater public health threat than any prior cropping system.
The study concludes with the following, “three aspects of Parkinson’s disease that need to be kept in mind: (1) It is, unfortunately, a disease that cannot be cured; it can only be prevented; (2) It is part of the agricultural ecology; (3) It is dynamic; its expression can change.”


sustainablepulse--2020-07-07--French Government Studies Reveal Cleaner Diapers and Shocking Pesticide Air Pollution

The French authorities have decided that transparent and widespread testing of consumer products and the air are vital in reducing the general public ’ s exposure to toxic chemicals and their efforts are starting to pay off .
The results of monitoring studies on diapers and air were separately released last week .
France ’ s consumer watchdog announced last Thursday a marked decline in the number of toxic chemicals in disposable diapers , after warning last year that babies could be exposed to dangerously high levels from several producers , AFP reported .
The chemicals identified in 2019 included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compounds produced from oil , some of which are likely carcinogens , and formaldehyde , which has also been shown to cause cancer .
The DGCCRF consumer affairs agency said its latest tests had shown a “ marked improvement ” among 32 products evaluated , compared with results released in January 2019 .
“ No new results showed levels above the health limits set for baby diaper exposure , ” it said .
Testing also found no traces of pesticide residues such as glyphosate , which was found in the initial testing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Premium Protection diapers , had formaldehyde levels still deemed too high .
Two others had worrisome levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ( PAHs ) that have been linked to cancers as well as cardiovascular disease .
A Pampers executive , Antoine Giuntini , disputed the findings in an interview with the Parisien newspaper , saying its own internal and independent testing had not found any formaldehyde .
“ This shows that the traces of formaldehyde did not come from our diapers but from somewhere else , ” he said .
Last year ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its kind , and prompted the French government to demand that manufacturers take steps to remove the chemicals .
“ France is continuing to push for stricter regulation at the EU level in order to have strict framework for the presence of chemical compounds in baby diapers , ” the DGCCRF said Thursday .
A new large French government study has identified 75 different pesticides in the air across France , including 32 deemed to be “ a priority to investigate ” including Glyphosate and Lindane due to their potential toxicity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Connexion reported .
The study , named the Campagne Nationale Exploratoire des Pesticides ( CNEP , the national exploration campaign into pesticides ) was the first of its kind in France .
It was led by the French Agency for Food , Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety ( ANSES ) , the French National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks ( Ineris ) and the Approved Air Quality Surveillance Associations ( AASQA ) .
The biomonitoring study to measure pesticide residues in the air was conducted from June 2018 to June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible to measure 75 substances on 50 sites covering various climate and land-use types across the whole of France .
The collection of nearly 100,000 validated data points and the analysis of 1,800 corresponding samples has made it possible to establish a database which will contribute to improving knowledge of pesticide residues present in ambient air so as to better assess the exposure of the general population .
ANSES stated that “ ultimately , this campaign will contribute to defining a national strategy for monitoring pesticides in ambient air.
” ANSES added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view of current knowledge , a major health problem associated with the exposure of the general population via outdoor air ” , it did say that “ further investigation is required ” into 32 of the substances found .
Of these , the first priority is to investigate the “ Lindane situation ” .
ANSES said that this insecticide is “ considered to be one of the most dangerous substances ( with carcinogenic effects , toxic , and a proven endocrine disruptor ) ” .
Despite being banned since 1998 in France , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the samples collected ( rising to 90 % in urban areas ) .
Glyphosate , the controversial herbicide , was found in 56 % of samples , despite clear links having been drawn between its use and increased risk of cancer .
Glyphosate was one of nine substances “ frequently found ” – meaning it was present in at least 20 % of samples .
ANSES will now use the results to investigate why certain substances continue to be present in the air , and also to estimate the possible cumulative exposure risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system , food , and skin ) .

The French authorities have decided that transparent and widespread testing of consumer products and the air are vital in reducing the general public’s exposure to toxic chemicals and their efforts are starting to pay off. The results of monitoring studies on diapers and air were separately released last week.
French Study on Disposable Diapers Shows Reduction in Toxic Chemicals
France’s consumer watchdog announced last Thursday a marked decline in the number of toxic chemicals in disposable diapers, after warning last year that babies could be exposed to dangerously high levels from several producers, AFP reported.
The chemicals identified in 2019 included dioxins and furans as well as aromatic compounds produced from oil, some of which are likely carcinogens, and formaldehyde, which has also been shown to cause cancer.
The DGCCRF consumer affairs agency said its latest tests had shown a “marked improvement” among 32 products evaluated, compared with results released in January 2019.
“No new results showed levels above the health limits set for baby diaper exposure,” it said.
Testing also found no traces of pesticide residues such as glyphosate, which was found in the initial testing. However, three samples, including Pampers Premium Protection diapers, had formaldehyde levels still deemed too high.
Two others had worrisome levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that have been linked to cancers as well as cardiovascular disease.
A Pampers executive, Antoine Giuntini, disputed the findings in an interview with the Parisien newspaper, saying its own internal and independent testing had not found any formaldehyde. “This shows that the traces of formaldehyde did not come from our diapers but from somewhere else,” he said.
Last year’s report was described as the first of its kind, and prompted the French government to demand that manufacturers take steps to remove the chemicals.
“France is continuing to push for stricter regulation at the EU level in order to have strict framework for the presence of chemical compounds in baby diapers,” the DGCCRF said Thursday.
French Agency Identifies 75 Pesticides in Air Monitoring Study
A new large French government study has identified 75 different pesticides in the air across France, including 32 deemed to be “a priority to investigate” including Glyphosate and Lindane due to their potential toxicity and links to cancer and endocrine disruption, The Connexion reported.
The study, named the Campagne Nationale Exploratoire des Pesticides (CNEP, the national exploration campaign into pesticides) was the first of its kind in France. It was led by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), the French National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks (Ineris) and the Approved Air Quality Surveillance Associations (AASQA).
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The biomonitoring study to measure pesticide residues in the air was conducted from June 2018 to June 2019. A harmonized protocol made it possible to measure 75 substances on 50 sites covering various climate and land-use types across the whole of France.
The collection of nearly 100,000 validated data points and the analysis of 1,800 corresponding samples has made it possible to establish a database which will contribute to improving knowledge of pesticide residues present in ambient air so as to better assess the exposure of the general population. ANSES stated that “ultimately , this campaign will contribute to defining a national strategy for monitoring pesticides in ambient air.”
ANSES added that the results did not suggest “in view of current knowledge, a major health problem associated with the exposure of the general population via outdoor air”, it did say that “further investigation is required” into 32 of the substances found.
Of these, the first priority is to investigate the “Lindane situation”. ANSES said that this insecticide is “considered to be one of the most dangerous substances (with carcinogenic effects, toxic, and a proven endocrine disruptor )”.
Despite being banned since 1998 in France, Lindane was found in 80% of the samples collected (rising to 90% in urban areas).
Glyphosate, the controversial herbicide, was found in 56% of samples, despite clear links having been drawn between its use and increased risk of cancer. Glyphosate was one of nine substances “frequently found” – meaning it was present in at least 20% of samples.
ANSES will now use the results to investigate why certain substances continue to be present in the air, and also to estimate the possible cumulative exposure risk to humans (including via the respiratory system, food, and skin).


sustainablepulse--2020-07-07--CRISPR Gene Editing in Human Embryos “Wreaks Chromosomal Mayhem”

In June GMWatch reported on a study in which CRISPR gene editing was used to alter human embryos .
The study found that around half of the edited embryos contained major unintended edits in the form of deletions or additions of DNA directly adjacent to the edited gene .
Fyodor Urnov , a gene–editing expert and professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of California , Berkeley , commented on the study , “ There ’ s no sugarcoating this .
This is a restraining order for all genome editors to stay the living daylights away from embryo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been peer-reviewed and is published on the pre-print website bioRxiv .
Now the journal Nature has drawn attention to two more pre-print papers with similar findings to that above .
Together the three papers show that the use of the gene–editing tool CRISPR–Cas9 to modify human embryos can induce large unwanted changes to the genome at or near the target site .
Nature titled its article , “ CRISPR gene editing in human embryos wreaks chromosomal mayhem ” .
It is crucial , in GMWatch ’ s view , that regulators of gene–edited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and learn the appropriate cautionary lessons .
The Nature article says the papers “ give scientists a good look at what some say is an underappreciated risk of CRISPR–Cas9 editing .
Previous experiments have revealed that the tool can make ‘ off target ’ gene mutations far from the target site , but the nearby changes identified in the latest studies can be missed by standard assessment methods.
” Nature quotes Gaétan Burgio , a geneticist at the Australian National University in Canberra , as saying , “ The on-target effects are more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to eliminate.
” Fyodor Urnov , who was not involved in any of the latest research , told the journal , “ If human embryo editing for reproductive purposes or germline editing were space flight , the new data are the equivalent of having the rocket explode at the launch pad before take-off.
” Nature correctly states that major on-target changes “ could be missed in many experiments , which typically look for other unwanted edits , such as single DNA-letter changes or small insertions or deletions of only a few letters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifically for large deletions and chromosomal rearrangements near the target site.
” Urnov told Nature , “ This is something that all of us in the scientific community will , starting immediately , take more seriously than we already have .
This is not a one-time fluke.
” What was found in the embryos is the same as what was previously found in animals and in human somatic cells ( body cells that are not involved in reproduction , i.e .
not sperm or eggs ) .
The London-based molecular geneticist Dr Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What these researchers have found in human embryos will also be happening in gene–edited plants .
But plant genetic engineers are typically fixated only on identifying off-target mutations .
So they often miss unintended on-target mutations that can result in numerous outcomes , including unwanted changes in the function of the targeted gene or disruption of the function of multiple genes around the editing site.
” An exception is a study that found large-scale unintended mutations at the intended editing site in CRISPR gene–edited rice plants .
The researchers found that these mutations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found in the recent human embryo research – namely large insertions , deletions , and rearrangements of DNA at the on-target editing site .
Given the extensive nature of these alterations in DNA sequence , these mutations will in all likelihood disturb the functioning of multiple genes , with unknown consequences to the plants ’ biochemistry .
The researchers who conducted the rice study concluded , “ early and accurate molecular characterization and screening must be carried out for generations before transitioning of CRISPR/Cas9 system from lab to field ” .
They added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regarding genome editing is necessary and critical before a new global policy for the new biotechnology is established ” .
Dr Antoniou said , “ Proponents of gene–editing in agricultural plants claim that off-target and unintended on-target mutations can be screened out prior to marketing .
But GMO plant developers mostly check gene–edited plants for obvious faults like deformities or stunted growth .
They do not carry out detailed molecular characterization and screening for unintended mutations , altered biochemistry , and the inadvertent production of toxins or allergens .
So these could easily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is critical that regulators take note of the similarity of such findings in animal , human , and plant systems and keep gene–edited products regulated and labelled , using current EU GMO laws as a minimum standard .
”

In June GMWatch reported on a study in which CRISPR gene editing was used to alter human embryos. The study found that around half of the edited embryos contained major unintended edits in the form of deletions or additions of DNA directly adjacent to the edited gene.
Fyodor Urnov, a gene–editing expert and professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of California, Berkeley, commented on the study, “There’s no sugarcoating this. This is a restraining order for all genome editors to stay the living daylights away from embryo editing.”
The study has not yet been peer-reviewed and is published on the pre-print website bioRxiv.
Now the journal Nature has drawn attention to two more pre-print papers with similar findings to that above. Together the three papers show that the use of the gene–editing tool CRISPR–Cas9 to modify human embryos can induce large unwanted changes to the genome at or near the target site. Nature titled its article, “CRISPR gene editing in human embryos wreaks chromosomal mayhem”.
It is crucial, in GMWatch’s view, that regulators of gene–edited food crops take note of the findings and learn the appropriate cautionary lessons.
Under-appreciated risk of gene editing
The Nature article says the papers “give scientists a good look at what some say is an underappreciated risk of CRISPR–Cas9 editing. Previous experiments have revealed that the tool can make ‘off target’ gene mutations far from the target site, but the nearby changes identified in the latest studies can be missed by standard assessment methods.”
Nature quotes Gaétan Burgio, a geneticist at the Australian National University in Canberra, as saying, “The on-target effects are more important and would be much more difficult to eliminate.”
Fyodor Urnov, who was not involved in any of the latest research, told the journal, “If human embryo editing for reproductive purposes or germline editing were space flight, the new data are the equivalent of having the rocket explode at the launch pad before take-off.”
Nature correctly states that major on-target changes “could be missed in many experiments, which typically look for other unwanted edits, such as single DNA-letter changes or small insertions or deletions of only a few letters. The latest studies, however, looked specifically for large deletions and chromosomal rearrangements near the target site.”
Urnov told Nature, “This is something that all of us in the scientific community will, starting immediately, take more seriously than we already have. This is not a one-time fluke.”
What was found in the embryos is the same as what was previously found in animals and in human somatic cells (body cells that are not involved in reproduction, i.e. not sperm or eggs).
Plant gene editors “not looking”
The London-based molecular geneticist Dr Michael Antoniou commented on the findings, “What these researchers have found in human embryos will also be happening in gene–edited plants. But plant genetic engineers are typically fixated only on identifying off-target mutations. So they often miss unintended on-target mutations that can result in numerous outcomes, including unwanted changes in the function of the targeted gene or disruption of the function of multiple genes around the editing site.”
An exception is a study that found large-scale unintended mutations at the intended editing site in CRISPR gene–edited rice plants. The researchers found that these mutations were of the same type as those found in the recent human embryo research – namely large insertions, deletions, and rearrangements of DNA at the on-target editing site. Given the extensive nature of these alterations in DNA sequence, these mutations will in all likelihood disturb the functioning of multiple genes, with unknown consequences to the plants’ biochemistry.
The researchers who conducted the rice study concluded, “early and accurate molecular characterization and screening must be carried out for generations before transitioning of CRISPR/Cas9 system from lab to field”. They added, “Understanding of uncertainties and risks regarding genome editing is necessary and critical before a new global policy for the new biotechnology is established”.
Dr Antoniou said, “Proponents of gene–editing in agricultural plants claim that off-target and unintended on-target mutations can be screened out prior to marketing. But GMO plant developers mostly check gene–edited plants for obvious faults like deformities or stunted growth. They do not carry out detailed molecular characterization and screening for unintended mutations, altered biochemistry, and the inadvertent production of toxins or allergens. So these could easily be missed.”
He continued, “It is critical that regulators take note of the similarity of such findings in animal, human, and plant systems and keep gene–edited products regulated and labelled, using current EU GMO laws as a minimum standard.”


sustainablepulse--2020-07-10--Canada’s Largest Agribusiness Bans Pre-Harvest Glyphosate Spraying from Oat Supply Chains

Canada ’ s largest agribusiness , Richardson International , will no longer accept oat crops that have been pre-harvest sprayed with glyphosate or any other chemical desiccants starting as of January 2021 , Radio Canada International reported Wednesday .
Richardson International is Canada ’ s largest agribusiness and is recognized as a global leader in agriculture and food processing .
Based in Winnipeg , Richardson is a worldwide handler and merchandiser of all major Canadian-grown grains and oilseeds and a vertically-integrated processor and manufacturer of oats and canola-based products .
The Detox Project and Sustainable Pulse Director , Henry Rowlands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Project has been working for the last three years with food and supplement brands globally to stop the use of pre-harvest spraying using glyphosate and other chemical desiccants .
We realize after extensive testing that the general public is mainly exposed to glyphosate through their diet because of the outrageous practice of pre-harvest spraying to ripen and dry crops such as oats , wheat and legumes .
“ We can now see some great successes from this work , as Grain Millers , Kellogg ’ s and now Richardson International have moved to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desiccant in their supply chains , ” Rowlands concluded .
Last month , a newsletter to Canadian Prairie Oat Growers Association ( POGA ) members contained a notice that Richardson Pioneer would be focusing on sourcing Canadian oats that have not been treated with pesticides applied as pre-harvest desiccants , and that they would be launching an Oat Procurement Program .
Tom Hamilton , senior vice president of Richardson ’ s Agribusiness Operations , told Real Agriculture the Pre-Harvest Aid Free Program “ will only source Canadian oats that have not been treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Although we continue to support science in agriculture and the existing regulatory process for the approval of pesticides , we decided to meet the specifications of our oat product customers .
To meet these requirements , Richardson has chosen to source oats that are not treated with a pre-harvest desiccant for its milling operations.
’ “ One thing to note , is that glyphosate is a herbicide , it ’ s not registered as a pre-harvest desiccant , ” added POGA President , Jenneth Johanson .
Real Agriculture stated ; “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pressure from consumer demand , and the no-desiccant situation might even lead to a premium .
Oats have had some good years in the past , and on Johanson ’ s farm in the last three years , oats have been the second most economically viable crop .
So a premium for the extra risk taken on by oat producers might pay off .
”

Canada’s largest agribusiness, Richardson International, will no longer accept oat crops that have been pre-harvest sprayed with glyphosate or any other chemical desiccants starting as of January 2021, Radio Canada International reported Wednesday.
Richardson International is Canada’s largest agribusiness and is recognized as a global leader in agriculture and food processing. Based in Winnipeg, Richardson is a worldwide handler and merchandiser of all major Canadian-grown grains and oilseeds and a vertically-integrated processor and manufacturer of oats and canola-based products.
The Detox Project and Sustainable Pulse Director, Henry Rowlands, stated Thursday; “The Detox Project has been working for the last three years with food and supplement brands globally to stop the use of pre-harvest spraying using glyphosate and other chemical desiccants. We realize after extensive testing that the general public is mainly exposed to glyphosate through their diet because of the outrageous practice of pre-harvest spraying to ripen and dry crops such as oats, wheat and legumes.
“We can now see some great successes from this work, as Grain Millers, Kellogg’s and now Richardson International have moved to ban the use of glyphosate as a desiccant in their supply chains,” Rowlands concluded.
Last month, a newsletter to Canadian Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA) members contained a notice that Richardson Pioneer would be focusing on sourcing Canadian oats that have not been treated with pesticides applied as pre-harvest desiccants, and that they would be launching an Oat Procurement Program.
Tom Hamilton, senior vice president of Richardson’s Agribusiness Operations, told Real Agriculture the Pre-Harvest Aid Free Program “will only source Canadian oats that have not been treated with a pre-harvest desiccant.”
He says, “Although we continue to support science in agriculture and the existing regulatory process for the approval of pesticides, we decided to meet the specifications of our oat product customers. To meet these requirements, Richardson has chosen to source oats that are not treated with a pre-harvest desiccant for its milling operations.’
“One thing to note, is that glyphosate is a herbicide, it’s not registered as a pre-harvest desiccant,” added POGA President, Jenneth Johanson.
Real Agriculture stated; “The new program could be a culmination of pressure from consumer demand, and the no-desiccant situation might even lead to a premium. Oats have had some good years in the past, and on Johanson’s farm in the last three years, oats have been the second most economically viable crop. So a premium for the extra risk taken on by oat producers might pay off.”


sustainablepulse--2020-07-11--India Set to Restrict Who Can Spray Glyphosate Herbicides in Big Blow for Bayer

Glyphosate is the most used weedkiller in India with over 675,000 Kg of it spread on Indian farmland in 2018-2019 , however a new change on who is allowed to spray glyphosate , which is set to be introduced by the Indian government , will immediately massively reduce sales of the chemical across the country .
The draft notification that was made public on Friday outlines how the Indian government wishes to approach the glyphosate issue in the country in the short-term : “ Whereas the Central Government has received a report from the Government of Kerala for prohibiting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its derivatives ; And whereas the Central Government , after considering the report of the State Government of Kerala and after consultation with the Registration Committee set up under the Insecticides Act , 1968 ( 46 of 1968 ) , proposes to make , the Draft Order…This Order may be called the Restriction on use of Glyphosate Order , 2020 : • No person shall use Glyphosate except through Pest Control Operators .
• All the holders of certificate of registration granted for Glyphosate and its derivatives shall return the certificate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the warning in bold letters “ THE USE OF GLYPHOSATE FORMULATION TO BE ALLOWED THROUGH PEST CONTROL OPERATORS ( PCOs ) ” on the label and leaflets .
• If any person who holds the certificate of registration fails to return the certificate to the Registration Committee , referred to in clause ( 3 ) , within a period of three months , action shall be taken under the provisions contained in the said Act .
• Every State Government shall take all such steps under the provisions of the said Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it considers necessary for the execution of this Order in the State .
The move to restrict glyphosate is likely partly aimed at controlling the spread of illegal herbicide tolerant ( HT ) cotton , which more farmers in some regions of India have been caught planting this year .
There are very few Pest Control Operators in rural areas of India , so the draft order is seen as an attempt by the Indian government to stop the use of glyphosate using a regulation that makes it almost impossible for farmers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture told Business Standard that the new central government draft order on who can spray glyphosate ‘ pretty useless ’ .
“ It does not address anything related to the sale of glyphosate .
In the absence of regulatory oversight over who is selling , who is buying and who is using on the ground , what is the point of saying that use is restricted to only by Pest Control Operators ?
It appears that the government has not yet grasped the full set of repercussions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to the next logical step of banning the chemical , ” Kuruganti said .
Kerala , Punjab , Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are among the major agriculturally important states that have banned the use of glyphosate citing its adverse impact on human health , according to Business Standard .
The India government is currently cracking down on international pesticide companies and this latest announcement on glyphosate follows a draft notification on May 18 from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers ’ Welfare , proposing a ban on the manufacture , sales and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Glyphosate is the most used weedkiller in India with over 675,000 Kg of it spread on Indian farmland in 2018-2019, however a new change on who is allowed to spray glyphosate, which is set to be introduced by the Indian government, will immediately massively reduce sales of the chemical across the country.
The draft notification that was made public on Friday outlines how the Indian government wishes to approach the glyphosate issue in the country in the short-term:
“Whereas the Central Government has received a report from the Government of Kerala for prohibiting the distribution, sale and use of Glyphosate and its derivatives;
And whereas the Central Government, after considering the report of the State Government of Kerala and after consultation with the Registration Committee set up under the Insecticides Act, 1968 (46 of 1968), proposes to make, the Draft Order…This Order may be called the Restriction on use of Glyphosate Order, 2020:
No person shall use Glyphosate except through Pest Control Operators.
All the holders of certificate of registration granted for Glyphosate and its derivatives shall return the certificate of registration to the Registration Committee for incorporation of the warning in bold letters “THE USE OF GLYPHOSATE FORMULATION TO BE ALLOWED THROUGH PEST CONTROL OPERATORS (PCOs)” on the label and leaflets.
If any person who holds the certificate of registration fails to return the certificate to the Registration Committee, referred to in clause (3), within a period of three months, action shall be taken under the provisions contained in the said Act.
Every State Government shall take all such steps under the provisions of the said Act and the rules framed thereunder, as it considers necessary for the execution of this Order in the State.
The move to restrict glyphosate is likely partly aimed at controlling the spread of illegal herbicide tolerant (HT) cotton, which more farmers in some regions of India have been caught planting this year. There are very few Pest Control Operators in rural areas of India, so the draft order is seen as an attempt by the Indian government to stop the use of glyphosate using a regulation that makes it almost impossible for farmers to spray glyphosate.
However, Kavitha Kuruganti of Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture told Business Standard that the new central government draft order on who can spray glyphosate ‘pretty useless’.
“It does not address anything related to the sale of glyphosate. In the absence of regulatory oversight over who is selling, who is buying and who is using on the ground, what is the point of saying that use is restricted to only by Pest Control Operators? It appears that the government has not yet grasped the full set of repercussions with glyphosate. The Government needs to go to the next logical step of banning the chemical,” Kuruganti said.
Kerala, Punjab, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are among the major agriculturally important states that have banned the use of glyphosate citing its adverse impact on human health, according to Business Standard.
The India government is currently cracking down on international pesticide companies and this latest announcement on glyphosate follows a draft notification on May 18 from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, proposing a ban on the manufacture, sales and imports of 27 other pesticides in India.