Washington, D.C. (December 19, 2017) – In a new draft human health risk assessment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded that “glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans,” a finding that bolsters the case of an agriculture coalition suing the State of California for falsely asserting the opposite.

According to the draft finding, “EPA’s scientific findings are consistent with the conclusions of science reviews by a number of other countries as well as the 2017 National Institute of Health Agricultural Health Survey.”

California, which is attempting to force products containing glyphosate to carry a warning label inconsistent with all other scientific and government reports, is being sued by a broad national coalition of agriculture groups including the National Wheat Growers Association, the lead plaintiff in the case.

“EPA is just the latest government agency to conclude what other governments and regulatory agencies around the world have determined in study after study,” said Gordon Stoner, President of the National Association of Wheat Growers. “Instead of relying on real and credible scientific studies, California relied on a highly controversial and discredited opinion published by IARC, a non-regulatory organization of the World Health Organization based in Lyon, France.  The science and the facts are on our side; glyphosate is safe and effective for use in agriculture.”

In addition to the National Association of Wheat Growers, the agriculture coalition suing the State of California includes the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, Associated Industries of Missouri, Iowa Soybean Association, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Missouri Farm Bureau, National Corn Growers Association, North Dakota Grain Growers Association, South Dakota Agri-Business Association and United States Durum Growers Association. The Agricultural Retailers Association and CropLife America also recently joined the coalition as plaintiffs in the case.

EPA will now open a 60-day public comment period for the draft risk assessments.

About NAWG
NAWG is the primary representative in Washington D.C. for wheat growers, working to ensure a better future for America’s growers, the industry and the general public. NAWG works with a team of 20 state wheat grower organizations to benefit the wheat industry at state and national levels. From their offices in the Wheat Growers Building on Capitol Hill, NAWG’s staff members are in constant contact with state association representatives, NAWG grower leaders, Members of Congress, Congressional staff members and the public.