This week’s show was all about Glyphosate. Our expert panel, made up of filmmaker Ed Brown (Unacceptable Levels, A New Resistance) and Dr. Marcia Ishii-Eiteman of the Pesticide Action Network, delved into the scientific and the simple facts on this pesticide so you can stay informed for your families.
What is Glyphosate?
It is a chemical herbicide, designed to kills weeds. Glyphosate is commonly sold in the product Roundup. It is the most popular herbicide, and Monsanto’s cash cow. It’s found in over 2000 products!
Why should we be concerned with Glyphosate?
Over 60 million acres of farmland have Roundup-resistant weeds. The agricultural system has become so dependent on chemicals, that weeds have built up a resistance. This is causing the chemical companies to turn to even stronger toxic chemicals to try and solve the weed problem.
Pesticide levels in our food are being significantly increased and there is no third-party research to show if this is safe. The only studies out there have been done by the chemical companies themselves, who have massive profits to gain. These studies are short-term, and don’t show the synergistic effects of when pesticides, like Glyphosate, are combined in our bodies with all the other chemicals we come in contact with. Bottom line: we don’t know enough about it.
Glyphosate has now been found in breastmilk, even in mothers that eat organic food only. Non-organic formulas are full of GMOs, as well. It’s in our food, it’s in our clothes, and it’s in our bodies.
If it’s approved, isn’t it safe?
You would think this was true, but there are over 11,000 conditionally approved chemicals. This means they were granted approval without being deemed safe first. It’s left up to the chemical company to research, but there is no follow-up done. The EPA hasn’t gone back to check the safety of the chemicals they approved either. It’s a profit before proof situation, and it’s frightening.
What is Glyphosate’s future?
In 2015, the EPA will determine if Glyphosate’s license should be renewed, or if this chemical should be banned. If it’s approved, it will grant Monsanto another 15 years of use. By 2017, at current rates, we will be using 1.35 million metric tons of Glyphosate!
Consumers need to demand that these chemicals be removed from the system. Get engaged in the political process, contact your representatives, and let them know you don’t want Monsanto in their pockets. You can spend your dollars elsewhere too. Avoid purchasing GMOs and Roundup. Make the switch to organic and local farmers. Educate your friends and neighbors to spread the message that we don’t want Roundup. We are ready for Roundup to go.
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