Glyphosate is the active ingredient in one of the world’s most widely used weedkillers, Roundup, produced by the US agro-chemicals giant Monsanto.
Earlier this year, concerns were raised that the weedkiller, which is used to treat a range of weeds, including the invasive Japanese knotweed, could be linked to cancer after a research paper was published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organisation.
However, Jersey’s Environment Department has now said that newer research, which is supported by experts in the US, Canada and Europe, has found that glyphosate is ‘unlikely to pose a human cancer risk’ and found that ‘the original study was flawed’.
Researchers concluded that it was a ‘safe and effective weed killer if used in accordance with the product guidelines’.
Environment Minister Steve Luce added: ‘The Environment Department’s plant health laboratory follows EU and UK best practice and scientists at the lab regularly review the latest evidence to ensure pesticide products authorised for use in Jersey don’t pose an unacceptable risk.
‘Plant health officers – who are highly qualified scientists – have reviewed the international evidence again recently, in light of public concern, and found that it weighed strongly against glyphosate being linked to cancer in humans. Consequently, officers recommend its continued use in Jersey.’
Deputy Luce did stress, however, that all chemicals must be used legally, responsibly and according to the instructions on product labels. Environment Department pesticide adviser Steve Thompson said that glyphosate-based herbicides were used in Jersey to control weeds in agricultural and amenity areas, parish byroad verges and private gardens.
‘Glyphosate is used locally to kill the weed bank before the ploughing and planting of potato crops, and so reduces reliance on other herbicides which are far more toxic and polluting,’ he said.
Having studied the findings of the most recent research into the chemical’s properties, Mr Thompson said that department officers were happy to recommend its continued use.
‘This weight-of-evidence approach has led Environment to conclude that a ban on the use of glyphosate in Jersey because of health risks is unreasonable and unjustified, and that a recommendation for the continuing authorisation for use of glyphosate-based herbicides in Jersey, in accordance with the product’s guidelines, is appropriate,’ he added.
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