Glyphosate in Aotearoa, New Zealand Summary Report on the call for information - 2022

Abstract

We have prepared this report following a call for information about the herbicide glyphosate, issued by the EPA between April and October 2021. This call for information was carried out in recognition of the many concerns that surround glyphosate, whether they be concerns about its possible impact on human health and the environment or concerns about the effects of glyphosate being unavailable on agriculture and the larger economy. The use of glyphosate is a divisive topic, and unsurprisingly, we received a wide range of comments around glyphosate use in Aotearoa New Zealand. People were concerned about a variety of possible health effects of glyphosate (including cancer), as well as the potential for environmental harm. They were also worried about the overuse of glyphosate, calling it a lazy method of weed control, and the possible effects of glyphosate formulations on bees. On the other hand, lots of people discussed the many benefits of glyphosate, especially how it has revolutionised farming by allowing no-till agriculture. Many responders said that glyphosate is vital to their farming business as no single alternative is available that replaces all of glyphosate’s uses. Responders said that, without glyphosate, outcomes for the environment and the economy would be worse. Taking into account the responses of industry groups (who represent a large number of people), the majority of responders to the call for information were professional users who stated that glyphosate, if used according to controls and regulations, is safe and highly beneficial. Others pointed out that any chemical is dangerous if used incorrectly, but that risk can be avoided or mitigated through appropriate protective measures. A few responders stated that the benefits of glyphosate outweigh the risks. Of the members of the public who responded to the call for information, more than half were non-users of glyphosate, who felt that glyphosate was a “toxic poison” that should be banned or at least restricted. The others were domestic users who mainly supported glyphosate use, with perhaps some extra restrictions. This call for information is only the first step in gaining a better understanding of how glyphosate is viewed in Aotearoa New Zealand, and this document is a summary of the responses we received.