AgroPages-Brazil Anvisa extends public consultation period for glyphosate re-evaluation-Agricultural news

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The National Sanitary Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has extended for 30 days the deadline for sending contributions to the public consultation regarding the re-evaluation of the herbicide glyphosate. The new deadline is July 8.

The decision was taken by Anvisa to meet requests from organized civil society organizations, who seek to continue the use of the herbicide glyphosate in Brazil, but proposes restrictions with which the productive sector does not agree.

To help producers interested in this process, the Brazilian Association of Soybean Producers (Aprosoja Brasil) has developed a manual with guidelines on how to contribute technical information on the correct use of glyphosate in agriculture.

Among Anvisa's proposals for glyphosate, Aprosoja Brasil listed three specific issues. One is the intention to change the toxicological classification of glyphosate to "extremely toxic product". The organization representing the producers claims that it is against the change, because the Ministry of Labor already defines the mandatory use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for professionals who handle the substance, making the new classification unnecessary.

The agency also proposes to change agricultural practices for the management of glyphosate. In rejecting this suggestion, Aprosoja said that these are technical guidelines, falling under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Another amendment contested by Aprosoja concerns Anvisa's proposal to prevent the same professionals from operating three distinct activities with glyphosate, such as preparation of the syrup, tank supplies and spraying.

"Aprosoja recommends that producers demonstrate against this measure, because each stage of management has its own PPE. And the application is performed in enclosed cabins, where there is already EPC, collective protection equipment."

"Appropriate glyphosate management practices are already being adopted and will ensure the safety of applicators and consumers," argues Aprosoja Brasil executive director Fabrício Rosa.

Glyphosate has been used in the country since the 1970s, mainly in no-tillage and to desiccate pastures before planting.