Glyphosate Detected in Honey- French Beekeepers File Legal Complaint Against Bayer

A recent AFP news article reported that, “A beekeeping cooperative in northern France has filed a legal complaint against German chemicals giant Bayer after traces of the controversial weedkiller glyphosate were detected in batches of honey, officials said Friday.

“The head of the cooperative in the Aisne region, which represents some 200 beekeepers, said Famille Michaud, one of the country’s largest honey marketers, found the chemical in three batches supplied by one of its members.

“‘They systematically analyse the honey shipments they receive, and they found glyphosate,’ Jean-Marie Camus said.”

The article stated that, “Emmanuel Ludot, a lawyer for the cooperative, said the tainted honey came from a producer whose hives are near extensive fields of sunflowers, beets and rapeseed.

“‘But you also can’t forget the weekend gardeners who often tend to use Roundup,’ he said.

The complaint was filed Thursday to coincide with the closing of Monsanto’s merger with Bayer, creating an agrichemical behemoth which many environmental activists denounce for its promotion of chemical herbicides as well as genetically modified seeds.”

The AFP article added that, “Ludot hopes the complaint will prompt an inquiry to determine the percentage of glyphosate in the batches and any health consequences it might have for humans.

“‘It’s also a matter of knowing how widespread this might be. Famille Michaud tells me this isn’t an isolated case,’ he said.”

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