Court Orders EPA to Reassess Glyphosate Impact on Human Health, Environment

On Friday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reassess whether glyphosate is potentially harmful to humans, wildlife or the environment.

The federal appeals court, in a 3-0 decision, ruled that EPA had not adequately evaluated glyphosate’s potential impact on human health and endangered species when it reauthorized the product’s use in January 2020.

Bayer responded to the decision, in a prepared statement, saying it stood by EPA’s earlier decision.

“We believe that the U.S. EPA will continue to conclude, as it and other regulators have consistently concluded for more than four decades, that glyphosate-based herbicides can be used safely and are not carcinogenic, and we are committed to working with the Agency to minimize the environmental impacts of our products,” Bayer said. “Importantly, the current product registrations remain in place and growers and other users can continue to use the products based on the current label instructions.

“Glyphosate-based herbicides are among the most thoroughly studied products of their kind, which is a major reason why farmers around the world continue to rely on these products not only for effective weed control but also to minimize tillage farming practices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, preserve more land for native habitats, and provide enough food to meet the needs of a growing population worldwide.”

According to a Reuter’s article published Friday afternoon, the “U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide soon whether to hear the German company’s appeal of a $25 million damages award to Edwin Hardeman,” who blamed his cancer on herbicides containing glyphosate.

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