The WHO reports that the herbicide glyphosate is probably carcinogenic influenced some companies. The Swiss retail chains Migros and Coop take glyphosate out of their stores. In Bavaria a ban was up for debate, however the parliament was against it.
Demonstrations against Monsanto and its products. Photo: Flickr / Die Grünen Kärnten/ CC BY 2.0
In March, a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the herbicide glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic". A renewed debate on the use of the controversial drug has begun. Glyphosate is worldwide the most widely used weed killer. The active ingredient is used not only in agriculture, but also by hobby gardeners.
Nevertheless its risks for humans and the environment have been debated for years. The US group Monsanto patented glyphosate in 1971 as an herbicide - today Monsanto makes, alone with his famous weed killer "Roundup", 2 billion US dollars per year. After the WHO warning some companies have decided to take glyphosate-containing products from the market.
The Swiss company Coop said on Thursday that glyphosate-containing herbicides are no longer sold as a precaution: "Even if the Federal Office for Agriculture (BLW) judge glyphosate can be continued without a health hazard for the population, the retailer decided on Monday 18th May not to sell any glyphosate product in the Coop supermarkets and Coop Building & Hobby hardware stores."
It is a preventive measure. "The retailer doesn’t sell the concentrate, but only a very diluted form, the ready-made products. These concentrations are up to 48 times lower than the range used in agriculture products. "
The Swiss company Migros will in future go without glyphosate. Originally, this decision should be carried out in 2016. However a Migros spokesperson said that they now would begin as early as next week with the removal of the products.
In Germany there were relevant changes. Mid-May REWE Group announced an intention to remove glyphosate from their hardware store assortment. "The 350 DIY stores of the REWE Group will make sure that all glyphosate products are removed by 30 September 2015," stated REWE. "As of today (11:05) the markets have no chance to reorder such products.”
However, at country level they are less decisive. The Bavarian Parliament rejected the ban requested by the SPD and Greens on Thursday. However, it was recommended not to apply the glyphosate-containing pesticides "Roundup" in other fields than agriculture, reported the Bayerische radio.
No matter the reactions of retailers to glyphosate, Monsanto Group aims to further expand into Europe. Monsanto is interested in the Swiss chemical company Syngenta. But the Swiss agrochemical company has continued to reject Monsanto. The proposals of Americans do not reflect the value of the company, said a Syngenta spokesman on Wednesday. The last offer of Monsanto was 45 billion dollar.