Roundup

From here

One of the world's most popular weed killers – and the most widely used kind in the US – can "probably" cause cancer, according to United Nations health chiefs.

The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) cancer arm has announced that best-selling 'Roundup', produced by Monsanto, contains an active ingredient that is "classified as probably carcinogenic to humans".

Amateur gardeners and professional farmers have been urged to “think very carefully” about using the popular herbicide after a report was published in clinical journal Lancet Oncology on Friday.

The report revealed glyphosate was “classified as probably carcinogenic to humans”.

It also said there was "limited evidence" that the key ingredient was carcinogenic in humans for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Monsanto, the world's largest seed company, said scientific data does not support the conclusions and called on WHO to hold an urgent meeting to explain the findings.

No shock there - can't believe people are still using these products!

Chemicals don't just kill that which they are designed to kill.

Fact is, folk are just plain lazy - I am clearing the paths on my plot by hand - I would rather kill a single worm with my little knife than spray and kill heaven knows how many creatures over who knows how many years.

Interesting, I used to think it was the best thing since sliced bread, becoming inactive once it hits the soil etc. but about a week ago, I read something that made me doubt it.

http://anonhq.com/mit-warns-half-of-all-children-will-be-autistic-by-2025-due-to-monsanto/

No chemical is inactive when it hits anything..

Never used a chemical in my life, never will...

@veg grower wrote:No chemical is inactive when it hits anything..

Never used a chemical in my life, never will...

If I could remember my high school and A Level Chemistry, I would rattle off examples to prove it.

Alas, I cannot.

Every herbicide, pesticide etc has a knock on effect - even the organic stuff.

As I say, folk are just plain lazy, spray whatever but never pause to think that what they are using can go on to kill many creatures.

I've used it in the past, Like VG I'd sooner dig weeds out and get the root, there's a satisfaction in getting the bugger out, but weeds are crafty little blighters and can grow through tiny gaps where you can never get the root, so I've used it in those situations, its supposed to travel down to the root and kill it, I think I'll rethink about using now though,

Apologies for banging on ^^^ but it is something I feel strongly about!

I have been digging that stuff out the past few weeks, I daresay I will be digging it out the next few years too....

Glyphosate is the only thing I have found that kills Japanese Knot Weed.

Digging/pulling it up tends to encourage its spread!

There is a weedkiller called " Kurtail " which kills horsetails . I've used it and found it works .

I am still weeding by hand and not doing too bad, the more and regular I have pull at them the less they are appearing, and with the onset of winter the less I will have to do.

The re-evaluation of the safety of glyphosate was due to be published in November.

Have not seen any sign of it.