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Written question asked by Tom Brake (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 16 May 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 May 2019 (named day). It was answered by Robert Goodwill (Conservative) on Monday, 20 May 2019 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Weedkillers: Cancer

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of whether the weedkiller RoundUp is a potential cause of cancer.

Answer

Like all pesticides, Roundup (a range of weedkillers containing glyphosate) is subject to strict regulation to ensure that its use will not harm people or have unacceptable effects on the environment.

The European Commission decided in December 2017 to approve glyphosate for continuing use until December 2022. The decision followed a scientific risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority, which included a very close scrutiny of the evidence on whether glyphosate causes cancer. UK experts participated in that assessment and supported its conclusions.

All pesticide products, including Roundup, are tightly regulated by the Health and Safety Executive. They are only authorised for use if scientific data demonstrates that they will not harm people or have unacceptable effects on the environment.

We will continue to keep an active watch on the scientific evidence on glyphosate.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
254714
Session
2017-19
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Cancer Weedkillers
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk