The Ministry for Primary Industries is proposing to raise the allowable glyphosate residue in wheat, oats and barley from 0.1mg to 10mg per kilogram – a 100-fold increase. The change would bring New Zealand above Australia’s limit of 5mg/kg.
Glyphosate is a commonly used herbicide, also sold under the Roundup brand, and frequently applied to genetically modified crops overseas.
The proposal comes as the government progresses the Gene Technology Bill, which would allow genetically modified crops to be grown in New Zealand.
Toxicologist Professor Ian Shaw said the alignment of the two proposals raised questions, although he described the link as a “hunch.” Green MP Steve Abel and Greenpeace also raised concerns about the overlap.
Science Minister Shane Reti’s office said the glyphosate proposal is unrelated to the GMO bill.
The World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic” in 2015. However, New Zealand Food Safety says that the assessment was based on potential hazard, not realistic risk. It concluded there is no credible cancer risk from glyphosate exposure at dietary levels.
Boring Oat Milk founder Morgan Maw submitted comments against the proposal saying even trace glyphosate levels could impact brand reputation and consumer trust.
The Environmental Protection Authority has not conducted a full risk reassessment of glyphosate since it was first approved, and a court challenge is scheduled for June.
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