Dutch Glyphosate Approval Under Scrutiny: Controversial Expert’s Influence Raises Concerns
Amsterdam, Netherlands – The Dutch pesticide authority, CTGB, has come underfire for its approval of the widely used herbicide glyphosate, with concerns raised about the influence of a controversial U.S. statistician, Kenny Crump, on the decision.
According to an investigation by the Dutch investigative journalism program Zembla, Crump’s publications played a significant role in the CTGB’sconclusion that glyphosate is not carcinogenic. This finding has sparked outrage, as Crump has a history of working for industries known for their hazardous products, including asbestos, diesel, and lead.
Crump’s involvement has raisedserious questions about the scientific integrity of the CTGB’s assessment. Critics argue that his past affiliations and potential biases may have influenced his work on glyphosate, leading to a skewed interpretation of the available scientific evidence.
Itis deeply concerning that the CTGB relied heavily on the work of someone with such a clear conflict of interest, said [Name of critic], a leading environmental activist. This raises serious doubts about the transparency and objectivity of the entire approval process.
The CTGB, however, maintains that its decision was based on athorough review of the available scientific literature, including Crump’s work. The agency insists that it has no evidence to suggest that Crump’s past affiliations influenced his conclusions.
We stand by our decision to approve glyphosate, said [Name of CTGB official], a spokesperson for the agency. Wehave a rigorous process in place to ensure that all scientific evidence is carefully considered.
However, the controversy surrounding Crump’s involvement has reignited the debate over the safety of glyphosate. While the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified glyphosate as probably carcinogenicto humans, other regulatory bodies, including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), have concluded that it is safe for use.
The Dutch government is now facing mounting pressure to review the CTGB’s decision and to ensure that the approval process for pesticides is transparent and independent.
References:
*Zembla investigation: [Link to Zembla article]
* World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classification of glyphosate: [Link to IARC website]
* European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessment of glyphosate: [Link to EFSA website]
Note: This article is based on the provided information and is intended to be a factual report. It does not express any opinions or take sides in the debate.
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