Shelves containing the full set of studies submitted for the glyphosate renewal. Seventy-one proprietary studies are available in the reading room. (Photo: Glyphosate Task Force)

Shelves containing the full set of studies submitted for the glyphosate renewal. Seventy-one proprietary studies are available in the reading room. (Photo: Glyphosate Task Force)

BRUSSELS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Glyphosate Task Force (GTF) is facilitating public access to 71 proprietary toxicological studies submitted as part of the ongoing process of renewing European Union (EU) approval for the sale of glyphosate.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has already published detailed summaries of the studies and its assessments. Today the GTF has opened a public reading room in Brussels which will facilitate even greater access to the data submitted in the renewal procedure.

As with all active substances used in pesticides, glyphosate is subject to periodic review and evaluation by public authorities.

All studies submitted as part of the EU renewal process have been reviewed and analysed by scientific experts of EFSA and EU Member States. These experts concluded that “glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans” and that it does not demonstrate mutagenic properties or effects on fertility, reproduction or embryonal development.

It is important to note that applicants for all active substances in the EU submit a combination of both open (public) and proprietary research. All industry generated studies must comply with strict standards of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and are independently peer reviewed as part of the EU evaluation process.

The GTF will provide public access to 71 toxicological studies owned by the members of GTF. Very limited information has been redacted from the documents, in line with Article 63 of EU Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, which governs the authorisation of plant protection products.

A registration page for the reading room is now available online. The page provides details of location and opening times and the room is accessible to anyone who agrees with the terms and conditions. The reading room will be open until the end of October.

ENDS

Notes for the Editor:

1. The registration page for the reading room can be accessed here: http://www.gtfstudies.org/registration.

2. The European Commission recently extended the existing authorisation for the use of glyphosate for 18 months while waiting for the results of a carcinogenicity assessment by the European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki.

3. Link to EFSA glyphosate page: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/151119a

About the GTF

The European Glyphosate Task Force (GTF) is a consortium of companies joining resources and efforts in order to renew the European glyphosate registration with a joint submission. This consortium is not to be considered a legal entity. The following companies are confirmed member of the GTF:

ADAMA Agan Ltd., Agria S.A., Agro Trade GmbH, Albaugh UK Limited, Arysta Lifesciences SAS, Barclay Chemicals (Manufacturing) Ltd., Brokden SL, Bros Spolka Jawna B. P. Miranowscy, Cheminova A/S, Coromandel International Ltd, EXCEL CROP CARE(Europe) NV, Helm AG, Industrias Afrasa S.A., Monsanto Europe S.A./N.V., Nufarm GmbH & Co KG, Rotam Agrochemical Europe Limited, Sapec Agro S.A., Sinon Corporation, Société Financière de Pontarlier, Syngenta Limited, United Phosphorus Ltd, Wynca UK Limited. For more information please see: www.glyphosate.eu