Monsanto
Company

Monsanto Statement On Glyphosate

"Monsanto refutes absolutely today's story in the UK and Irish Independent newspapers, headed "Monsanto weedkiller 'wipes out beneficial insects'". Farmers, growers and gardeners can be assured that Monsanto will continue to support all the currently approved uses of glyphosate and at this time there is no reason why these should be amended."

This is the full text of the statement sent to Channel 4 news in September from which they quoted in their news item.

"As the Hardell studies are old and have been so effectively dismissed by others, we do not wish to give them credibility by responding ourselves. We do urge you instead to contact the relevant top world scientists in this area for their comments.

Because the EC annex 1 document you have is a confidential DRAFT, prepared by the German authorities and based on 1995 laboratory data, it would be quite improper for Monsanto to comment as since that time, more appropriate tests using leaf surfaces have been completed for assessment by the relevant EU committees. Our belief is that the whole European Review process for glyphosate will not be completed until the end of next year - and for pesticides, not until 2005."

Finally, the data surrounding the testing of glyphosate was supplied to Channel 4 news.
"Independent, extensive reviews of the available toxilogical data on glyphosate by the World Health Organisation, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and many others have concluded that glyphosate is not mutagenic or carcinogenic.

Indeed, it is so benign that it is the only herbicide permitted by the authorities for use in the ecologically sensitive Galapagos Islands."