Groundbreaking research results: glyphosate persists in soil

Film trailer: Glyphosate - Poisened Fields

According to a new research study from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and two Dutch laboratories 45% of Europe’s top soil contains glyphosate residues. That demonstrates the over-reliance of the EU agricultural model on this harmful herbicide chemical, says an article by sustainablepulse.com. In contrast to what the food industry purports, glyphosate persists in soils.

The study that analysed 317 EU soil samples of arable land, shows that 42% contained AMPA, the most toxic metabolite of glyphosate, while glyphosate was found in 21% of the soils; 18% of the samples had both. The study was conducted in six crop systems along 11 EU member states comprising soils under different geographical and climatic conditions, reports sustainablepulse.com. The research study by the Dutch University of Wageningen and Rikilt laboratories, jointly with the JRC will be available online soon. Angeliki Lyssimachou, PAN Europe’s ecotoxicologist said: ‘This study clearly contradicts the predictions of European Authorities that glyphosate does not persist in the environment.

Highest contaminations in Denmark, Portugal and UK

Denmark, the UK and Portugal are the worst in this spectrum, with the highest detection frequency, while Italy and Greece seem to be the ones using less glyphosate on their crops, explains the study. However, and most notably, these 2 molecules could be found in every tested member state. All tested crops presented glyphosate and AMPA residues.The results prove that the accumulation and persistence of glyphosate in soil is underestimated by European authorities, as is the harm it may cause to environmental ecosystems. The concentrations of glyphosate and AMPA found in the study have been shown to be toxic to soil organisms such as earthworms, beneficial bacteria and fungi.

More information is availbale on sustainablepulse.com.