Talk on Glyphosate
| Event Start Date: 10th May 2018 | Event End Date: 10th May 2018 | Event Venue: Delhi |
In an effort to take up advocacy and build public opinion against the use of Glyphosate, a very destructive compound used as herbicide across the globe, Bhoomi Ka is organizing a talk by Sri Santanu Mitra, also known as Tony Mitra, who has been fighting a formidable battle in Canada, to detect the presence of glyphosate in all foods, and has revealed a mountain of shocking facts, largely unknown – and therefore never discussed – among the medical professionals, health activists and environmentalists.
Since Santanu is in India these days, Bhoomi Ka takes this opportunity to invite all who are associated with the fight against chemicals in our food, to come and listen to his journey, the science and law behind the entire Glyphosate story and the connect to our struggle for safe food in India.
Date: 10 May 2018
Time: 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Venue: Gandhi Peace Foundation, 221-23, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, Near Railway Station, Tilak Bridge, Bahadur Shah Zafar Road, Delhi 110001 (nearest Metro Station – ITO)
Glyphosate, the principal constituent of Monsanto’s ‘Roundup’ herbicide, is the only synthetic toxin to which the animal body has no resistance. Most dangerously, Glyphosate can replace an essential amino acid Glycine in any protein, thus disrupting all normal functions of that protein, leading to a multitude of maladies, including systemic diseases and fetal deformities.
Brief information on Glyphosate
- Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum, non-selective herbicide that destroys plant tissue by inhibiting photosynthesis, cellular growth, and nucleic acid production and is the world’s largest selling herbicide
- Monsanto, the world’s fourth largest seller of agrochemicals and the largest seed corporation, is the major manufacturer of glyphosate, selling the product under the trade name Roundup
- Is considered highly toxic. Recent experiences and studies show a wide range of long-term adverse health effects, again mostly related to formulated products, such as leukaemia and other cancers, skin diseases, and birth defects, gastrointestinal problems, and alterations to the central nervous system. Other findings link glyphosate and especially formulations with affecting embryo development, damage cells and DNA, and interrupting the hormone system
- The environmental effects of glyphosate of greatest concern are those that occur at a subtle level, and can result in significant disruption of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, including the agro-ecosystem, and loss of biodiversity.
- Studies suggest several effects of glyphosate on soil organisms, including inhibition of the formation of nitrogen-fixing nodules, nitrogen fixation by bacteria, and influencing the soil fungal community structure, potentially impacting agricultural performance. Furthermore, weeds developing resistance to glyphosate pose a real threat for the farmers as well as the environment.
Status in India
- Andhra Pradesh has prohibited use of glyphosate, a chemical that goes into making herbicides early this year, the 1st state to do so (HT Cotton is resistant to Herbicide)
- Supreme Court has asked Centre to review the status of Glyphosate and other 18 harmful pesticides and ban them in next 2 months, last month in April
- Supreme Court further added that if a specific pesticide is decided to be banned then the ban be implemented in 15 day. Centre yet to respond
- Anupam Verma committee did not review “Glyphosate” among the 66 pesticides.
- WHO identified Glyphosate as a probable “Carcinogen” in 2015 and was subsequently banned in Sri Lanka, Denmark, France, Cambodia, Canada & UK
It would be great to have your participation in the discussion.
With regards,
Jyoti Awasthi
Phone – 9650200773
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