GLYPHOSATE: EFSA conclusion on the peer review, unlikely to be carcinogenic

The conclusions of EFSA, following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the rapporteur Member State Germany, for the pesticide active substance glyphosate have been published last Thursday (12/11/2015).

Unlikely to be carcinogenic

Following a second mandate from the European Commission to consider the findings from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) regarding the potential carcinogenicity of glyphosate or glyphosate-containing plant protection products in the on-going peer review of the active substance, EFSA concluded that glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans and the evidence does not support classification with regard to its carcinogenic potential according to Regulation (EC) No.1272/2008. The evaluation considered a large body of evidence, including a number of studies not assessed by the IARC which is one of the reasons for reaching different conclusions.

New end-points

The review proposed new toxicological safety thresholds for risk assessment of glyphosate (Conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance glyphosate):

an acute reference dose (ARfD) of 0.5 mg/kg b.w., the first time such an exposure threshold has been applied to the substance,

an acceptable operator exposure level (AOEL) of 0.1 mg/kg b.w./day, instead of 0.2 mg/kg b.w./day in the past,

an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for consumers of 0.5 mg/kg b.w./day in line with the ARfD.

Next steps

The EFSA conclusion will inform the European Commission in deciding whether or not to retain the substance on the EU list of approved active substances. This is a condition for enabling Member States to authorise its continued use in pesticides in the EU.

Conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance glyphosate

EFSA explains the carcinogenicity assessment of glyphosate