State AG Fires Firm Letter

California Attorney General Becerra Fires Off Letter to Monsanto

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has fired off a letter to Bayer, the parent company of Monsanto, demanding that the company "take immediate action to stop selling and distributing Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicides in California."

In the letter, Becerra cites a recent study by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) that found glyphosate to be "probably carcinogenic to humans."

"Monsanto has repeatedly misled the public about the safety of glyphosate," Becerra wrote. "The company's own internal documents show that it knew about the cancer risks of glyphosate for decades but failed to warn the public."

Monsanto has defended the safety of glyphosate, saying that it is "one of the most thoroughly tested herbicides in the world."

Benefits of Glyphosate

• Effective Weed Control: Glyphosate is a highly effective herbicide that can control a wide range of weeds, including some of the most difficult-to-control species.
• Low Toxicity: Glyphosate is relatively low in toxicity to humans and animals, making it a safer option than many other herbicides.
• Versatile: Glyphosate can be used in a variety of applications, including agriculture, forestry, and landscaping.

Risks of Glyphosate

• Cancer Risk: The IARC has classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans." This classification is based on studies that have linked glyphosate exposure to an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Environmental Concerns: Glyphosate can persist in the environment for long periods of time and can accumulate in soil and water. This can pose a risk to wildlife and human health.
• Resistance: Weeds can develop resistance to glyphosate, which can make it less effective over time.

Comparison of Pros and Cons

What's Next?

It is unclear what action Bayer will take in response to Becerra's letter. The company could choose to stop selling Roundup in California, or it could continue to defend the safety of the product.

Motivations

• Protecting Public Health: Becerra is motivated by the need to protect the public from the potential health risks of glyphosate.
• Enforcement of the Law: Becerra has a responsibility to enforce the law, including laws that protect the environment and public health.

Pain Points

• Cancer Risk: The IARC's classification of glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" is a major concern for Becerra and other public health officials.
• Lack of Transparency: Monsanto's failure to disclose the cancer risks of glyphosate has eroded public trust in the company.
• Environmental Impact: The persistence of glyphosate in the environment is a concern for wildlife and human health.

Conclusion

Becerra's letter to Bayer is a significant development in the ongoing debate over the safety of glyphosate. It is unclear what action Bayer will take in response to the letter, but it is clear that the company is facing increasing pressure to defend the safety of its products.

Table 1: Glyphosate Use in Agriculture

Table 2: Glyphosate Residues in Food

Table 3: Glyphosate Toxicity

Table 4: Glyphosate Environmental Fate