ST. LOUIS — Herbicides like those in the popular weed killing product "Roundup" are safe to use and have been for decades, the multinational pharmaceutical and now agricultural company Bayer told the St. Louis Record in a previously released statement.
"Glyphosate-based herbicides have been used safely and successfully for over four decades worldwide and are a valuable tool to help farmers deliver crops to markets and practice sustainable farming by reducing soil tillage, soil erosion and carbon emissions," Bayer head of external communications and vice president Christopher Loder said in the statement.
"There is an extensive body of research on glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides, including more than 800 rigorous studies submitted to EPA, European and other regulators in connection with the registration process, that confirms that these products are safe when used as directed."
The statement referred to a 2018 National Cancer Institute long-term study that found no association between glyphosate-based herbicides. The statement also referred to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2017 cancer risk assessment that concluded glyphosate is "not likely to be carcinogenic to humans."
"Bayer stands behind these products and will vigorously defend them," the statement said.
The statement was issued in response to a lawsuit filed in St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit last month accusing Roundup maker Monsanto of falsely representing the weed killer as safe for humans and the environment. Bayer acquired Monsanto last year.