Saturday, January 12, 2019

Glyphosate ruling stands, says Health Canada

Health Canada has rejected objections to its decision to stand pat on glyphosate labeling regulations.

The objections were filed with Health Canada in June and July by members of Safe Food Matters, Right On Canada, Environmental Defense Canada, the David Suzuki Foundation,  Ecojustice, Environmental Defence and Canadian Physicians for the Environment.

Health Canada released a statement Friday saying it “assessed the validity of any studies” raised in the objections, “to determine whether any of the issues raised would influence the results of the assessment and the associated regulatory decision.”

The department also noted “concerns raised publicly about the validity of some of the science around glyphosate in what is being referred to as the Monsanto Papers.”

However, Health Canada said, “we have concluded that the concerns raised by the objectors could not be scientifically supported when considering the entire body of relevant data.”

Furthermore, the department said, “the objections raised did not create doubt or concern regarding the scientific basis for the 2017 re-evaluation decision for glyphosate.”

Health Canada assigned 20 scientists to its review.

The Glyphosate Papers were cited in a California case where a worker won a $289.2-million court award based on his claim that Monsanto’s Roundup caused his cancer.