Glyphosate in spotlight as first Australian Roundup cancer case filed

Losing agricultural chemical glyphosate would affect the world’s ability to feed itself, an expert says.

Court action: The first Australian civil case against chemical company Monsanto over the alleged effects of Roundup was launched in Australia. Digitally altered image: Getty Images

AUSTRALIA’S ability to produce enough food to meet demand could be seriously impinged if the weedkiller chemical glyphosate is banned, according to one industry expert.

It comes as the Victorian Government announced last week it will conduct an internal review into its use of glyphosate.

Meanwhile, the first Australian civil case against Monsanto — the company that produces the glyphosate-based weedkiller Roundup — was filed by a Melbourne gardener diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, at the Supreme Court of Victoria yesterday.

Grain Producers Australia chairman southern region Andrew Weidemann said the recent incidence of court cases in the US was cause for concern, and could affect Australia’s ability to produce grain and food.

“Our concerns are really that, if we end up losing a product like this, what it means for global food supply,” Mr Weidemann said.

“It’s confusing … a lot of people believe in science on a range of things, but in this case they don’t. I’ve been concerned around the litigation overseas, but in all cases we believe in science and we continue to do so.

“The courts will review this, and science will be involved.”

MORE: WHAT IS WORSE? SPRAYING ROUNDUP OR EATING A STEAK?

INQUIRY INTO AUSTRALIA’S AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT IN QUESTION

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning confirmed with The Weekly Times an internal review into how products containing glyphosate are used in the management of public land would take place, but clarified the review would look only at DELWP’s usage of glyphosate, not the use of the chemical statewide.

A spokeswoman for the department said “this is a precautionary measure, following recent developments in the US”.

“The review is limited to internal DELWP usage and will include looking at where and how these chemicals are used, making sure they are used safely and exploring if alternative methods can be used instead,” the spokeswoman said.

A statement from the Victorian Farmers Federation said the group supported the proper, careful use of regulated agricultural chemicals for their approved use.

“The APVMA has approved the use of glyphosate-based agricultural chemicals, and we trust in their scientific processes for reviewing and approving chemicals,” the statement read.

The VFF declined to comment on the upcoming court proceeding.

Glyphosate continues to be registered for use in Australia by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.