Pesticides: a life ruined by glyphosate

Published connected 18/06/2025 - 15:00 GMT+2•Updated 19:13

But 30 years of vulnerability to glyphosate has shattered his dreams and his existence. He was diagnosed 5 years agone pinch an intravascular B-cell lymphoma, a uncommon shape of cancer. It has been recognised arsenic an occupational disease.

Glyphosate is nan astir wide utilized herbicide successful nan world and besides nan astir controversial. It has been classified arsenic “probably carcinogenic” by nan International Agency for Research connected Cancer (IARC) since 2015. More caller studies from investigation institutes specified arsenic nan French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) person established a apt nexus betwixt vulnerability to nan chemic and definite forms of cancer.

Yet, nan European Union has extended its authorisation until 2033, relying connected studies by EFSA and ECHA, nan European authorities for nutrient and chemic safety.

Several biology and user authorities organisations challenged nan determination earlier nan European Court of Justice past April.

The spread betwixt assessments results from the  methodologies utilized by investigation institutes and European regulatory agencies, according to Xavier Coumoul, a toxicologist and interrogator astatine Inserm successful France. “When a pesticide shaper wants to marketplace a product, nan regulatory agencies require nan shaper to behaviour its ain tests to beryllium nan merchandise is safe,” he explains. 

This process raises galore questions surrounding nan independency of these surveys.

“EFSA gives small information to epidemiological studies and relies considerably connected what nan manufacture provides, whereas Inserm aliases IARC trust overmuch much connected nan world lit and monitoring real-life merchandise use.”

Ludovic Maugé, whose life now hangs by a thread, is among those for whom nan product’s toxicity is undeniable. After undergoing much chemotherapy than is usually permitted, his past hope, he says, is simply a transplant utilizing his ain modified stem cells. It’s a vanishingly mini chance. “As my oncologist told me, we tin nary longer speak of a cure,” he confides.

Since his crab was recognised arsenic an occupational disease, Ludovic receives a humble societal allowance, on pinch monthly compensation of 180 euros from Bayer-Monsanto — which manufactured nan merchandise that poisoned him.

“It’s a pittance, but I don’t care. What mattered astir to maine was to spot my unwellness recognised arsenic work-related.”

Despite his regular ordeal, Ludovic, who tin nary longer work, wants to return his conflict further. “What I want is to dispersed nan connection to everyone. Glyphosate destroyed my life — it poisoned me. These products destruct group and destruct nature,” he insists. He is outraged by nan EU’s determination to renew glyphosate’s authorisation.

“When I spot politicians reauthorising these products, it makes maine furious. It’s nan pesticide lobby. Unfortunately, we can’t do thing against these politicians and Bayer-Monsanto. If I had 1 point to opportunity to nan European Union, it’s this: conscionable prohibition these products. That’s it.”

At nan clip of nan broadcast of this report, respective associations launched a mobilization against a measure of rule aimed astatine easening nan usage of pesticides successful France.