EU members have failed to agree on glyphosate's future in the bloc. Uncertainty continues over whether the controversial weed killer causes cancer.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Jensen
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With the Monsanto's glyphosate license in the EU set to expire, members put off a decision on continued use of the potent herbicide, marketed as Roundup. Glyphosate, one of the world's most commonly used active ingredients in weed killers, works by inhibiting the growth of unwanted plants in farming and domestic and urban environments.
A 2015 World Health Organization study identified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen. A more recent study by the WHO and the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization found otherwise. However, watchdogs have criticized the second study because the chairman of the joint meeting leads an institute that received a six-figure donation from Monsanto, which produces glyphosate and several controversial genetically modified products.
The European Food Safety Authority, the EU's industry watchdog, has not identified a risk of cancer. Still, scientists have found that glyphosate poses a serious risk to biodiversity.
If no decision is made by June 30 and the European Commission chooses not to weigh in, glyphosate will no longer be authorized within the EU.
A recent study found that popular brands of German beer were practically bubbling with the herbicideImage: Samuel Schlagintweit
'No assurance'
The lack of a decision could help Monsanto as news has emerged that Bayer, the pharma leviathan from Leverkusen, was considering merging with the US agrigiant. Still, Monsanto has announced that there was "no assurance" that any transaction would be "entered into or consummated." Bayer confirmed that executives from the two companies had met to "privately discuss" a merger, though no potential purchase price was published.
Such a merger could face resistance from antitrust regulators. According to The Wall Street Journal, the two companies would together account for around 28 percent of global sales of pesticides and herbicides.
Requesting anonymity, EU diplomats told news agencies that German officials were among those unwilling to come to a decision on further use of glyphosate. Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Christian Democrats favor renewing the glyphosate license, but their Social Democrat coalition partners oppose keeping the herbicide around, citing its potentially carcinogenic effects.
mkg/msh (Reuters, AFP, dpa, AP)
Seven ways to prevent cancer
Is it bad luck, genes or environment? Some risk factors for cancer may be outside of our control, but others are not. Seven tips to reduce your cancer risk.
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Stop smoking
Tobacco use is the single greatest avoidable risk factor for cancer mortality worldwide, causing an estimated 22 percent of cancer deaths per year. Besides smoking, also chewing tobacco or snuff can lead to cancer. And even second-hand smoke, which is the inhalation of smoke in the environment, has been proven to cause lung cancer in nonsmoking adults.
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Choose the right dose of sunrays
Skin cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer — and one of the most preventable. Stay out of the sun when the sun's ultraviolet rays are intense. They are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Cover exposed areas with hats, clothes and sunglasses and use sunscreen. UV-emitting tanning devices are now also classified as carcinogenic to humans.
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Get cancer screenings
Some types of cancer can be found before they cause symptoms. Therefore regular self-exams, for instance of your skin and breasts, and cancer screenings can help find and treat some types of cancer early. Not for all types of cancer screening tests are available. Talk to your doctor about the options and what is useful for you.
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Get active and control your weight
There is a link between overweight and obesity to many types of cancer. Regular physical activity and the maintenance of a healthy body weight, along with a healthy diet, will considerably reduce cancer risk. Diets high in fruits and vegetables may have a protective effect. Conversely, excess consumption of red and preserved meat may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
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Avoid infections
Infectious agents are responsible for almost 22 percent of cancer deaths in the developing world and 6 percent in industrialized countries. Viral hepatitis B and C cause cancer of the liver; human papilloma virus infection causes cervical cancer. Ask your doctor about vaccination Options. The bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which you can see in the picture, increases the risk of stomach cancer.
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Be reasonable with alcohol
According to the World Health Organization, the risk of cancer increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. Alcohol use is a risk factor for many cancer types including cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectum and breast.
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Avoid pollutants
According to the World Health Organization, environmental pollution of air, water and soil with carcinogenic chemicals accounts for one to four percent of all cancers. Exposure to carcinogens also occurs via the contamination of food by chemicals, such as aflatoxins or dioxins. Indoor air pollution from coal fires doubles the risk of lung cancer, particularly among non-smoking women.
