Are glyphosate’s days numbered?

It’s the world’s most popular weedkiller by far, write Andrew Porterfield and Jon Entine in this article published by the Genetic Literacy Project (GLP). Since its introduction in the 1970s, glyphosate has become the farmers most important weedkiller, praised for its effectiveness and broad-spectrum weed control capabilities. It fulfills many agricultural and regulatory requirements—it’s effective, relatively inexpensive, boosts crop yields, and is safe for humans as well as plants engineered to avoid its herbicidal functions.

About 90 chemical companies across the globe produce it, more than 50 of them in China. One company still dominates the market with a 40% share—Bayer, which acquired its original patent holder, Monsanto, in 2018, although the patent for its original formulaton, known as Roundup, expired in 2000.

Although the global regularly community has unanimously concluded glyphosate is safe as used, it’s been under relentless attack from environmental activist groups. And because of the casino-like U.S. tort system, Bayer has paid out more than $11 billion so far with another $1.2 billion allocated for potential future adverse verdicts or settlements.

These legal issues—with 67,000 pending suits, there is no end in site to its courtroom challenges—have led Bayer to consider ceasing production of Roundup unless it receives legal protections against future litigation. Bayer recently informed  farmers, suppliers and retailers that it may stop selling Roundup, which would leave U.S. farmers reliant on imported glyphosate from China.

“We’re pretty much reaching the end of the road,” Bayer Chief Executive Bill Anderson said in an interview. “We’re talking months, not years.”

What could replace it if Bayer pulls the plug?

Source: Genetic Literacy Project (GLP). Read the full article here
Image: Credit GLP