Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide worldwide. It’s used in agriculture, the home garden, and for commercial applications.

In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published a report that classified glyphosate as ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’. This classification is based on a hazard assessment of the chemical rather than a risk assessment. The APVMA is aware that several concerns have been raised in relation to the ongoing safety, registration and use of glyphosate in Australia as a result of this classification.

We recently conducted a comprehensive review of the IARC assessment report and other relevant scientific material and concluded that there is currently no scientific reason to reconsider the registration of glyphosate. More information about the APVMA assessment and its position on glyphosate is available here.

The APVMA looks to new data, information and science when considering the ongoing safety of a registered product. We consider the full range of risks and how human exposure can be minimised through instructions for use and safety directions.

It is our position that all registered glyphosate products are safe provided they are used as per the label instructions.

The APVMA will continue to monitor and consider new information, assessment reports or studies that indicate that this position should be revised.

https://apvma.gov.au/node/27261