Anvisa reevaluates glyphosate herbicide

The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) reassessed the risk of glyphosate and concluded that it does not cause mutations in DNA, the human genetic code (non-mutagenic), nor in embryos or fetuses (teratogenic), is not carcinogenic (carcinogenic) and is not endocrine disruptor (does not affect the hormonal system), does not affect reproduction.

Anvisa warned, however, that workers working on crops need to take special care. To this end, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (special clothing/equipment for applying the product to crops) is important, in addition to control to prevent dispersion (drift) of the product whether aerially, on land or in water.

Anvisa used studies on the effects of glyphosate carried out in Canada, the United States and Europe. Data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sinan) were also analyzed, which showed the profile of glyphosate poisonings in Brazil. Data from monitoring water for human consumption in Brazil produced between 2014 and 2016 were also included to understand the risk of glyphosate to humans. 22.704 water samples were analyzed and in only 0,03% of cases there was the presence of glyphosate at a level above the permitted limit.

A Revaluation It was started in 2008, has around 400 pages and used national data on pesticides. Among the information analyzed are the numbers on the existence of residues of these products, taken from 906 samples of rice, mango and grapes. 

Anvisa decided to open a public consultation, with a period of 90 days, to receive suggestions for new regulations on the use of glyphosate in the country. And it is already starting with proposals to ban EW type formulations (oil-in-water emulsion) to reduce the possibility of inhalation and absorption through the skin; worker rotation in tractor application activities (mixing, supplying and application); personal protective equipment (PPE) and need for worker re-entry into treated areas; adoption of technology to reduce dispersion; 10 meter safety strip in the field when there are villages 500 meters away; definition of exposure and tolerance limits for rural workers. 

Glyphosate is the product (active ingredient) most used in Brazil to eliminate weeds, being used in soybean, corn, cotton, rice, beans, coffee, banana, cocoa, sugar cane, citrus, coconut crops. , tobacco, apple, papaya, nectarine, pasture, pear, peach, plum, rubber tree, wheat, grape and in eucalyptus and pine forests.

Russia

According to the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, Tereza Cristina, the alleged presence of glyphosate in soybean cargo exported to Russia was due to the fact that the Russians demand a much lower dosage in soybeans - 0,15 parts per million (PPM) - than than that determined by the Codex Alimentarius (international food code), which is 20 PPM. “Brazil uses 10 PPM, so it is absolutely within what the Codex predicts.”

All the soy samples that were taken and that the Ministry sent to Russia proved that there was a much lower amount of glyphosate than those established by international standards. Finally, this matter has been resolved”, guarantees the minister. Tereza Cristina also stated that “the product grown by the Brazilian farmer, certified by the Ministries of Agriculture and the Environment and Anvisa and placed on consumers' tables is absolutely safe”.

The general coordinator of Pesticides and Related Products at the Ministry, Carlos Ramos Venancio, informs that no country in the world prohibits the use of glyphosate. Furthermore, there is no substitute for it and other products used to combat pests are more toxic and the price of glyphosate is more affordable with generics available.