background

Controversial herbicide glyphosate Checked and undesirable

As of: 23.06.2021 12:55 p.m.

A test report commissioned by the EU does not consider the weed killer glyphosate to be carcinogenic or dangerous to the genetic makeup. Nevertheless, the drug will probably disappear from the market in Europe.

From Michael Heussen, WDR

The specialist authorities from France, Sweden, Hungary and the Netherlands come to terms with glyphosate to a clear result : The pesticide is not carcinogenic, it does not damage the genetic material and it is neither dangerous for human organs nor for the hormonal balance. The four national authorities had assessed the safety of glyphosate on behalf of the European Commission on the basis of existing study results. You confirm the findings of test authorities around the world.

Nevertheless, it can be assumed that the drug will disappear from the market sooner or later. “Glyphosate is socially dead,” said a farmer official in the run-up to the farmers’ day in Berlin. The public had long since made its judgment – even with solid scientific arguments, the majority of consumers could not be convinced of the harmlessness of the substance. Since 2015, the judgment of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which belongs to the World Health Organization (WHO), has been hovering over the evaluation process like a sword of Damocles: Glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic”.

“Very low probability”

It is hardly surprising that the glyphosate producer Bayer sees it differently and welcomes the positive study results that have now been published. The chemical giant, which with the US-American Monsanto group also took over its glyphosate-containing bestseller Roundup, also rejects another argument – that the herbicide threatens biodiversity.

“Evaluated scientific studies as well as publicly available research reports show only a very low probability that the proper use of glyphosate-containing pesticides has indirect effects on the biodiversity of most food chains,” says the company. For example, the effects on microorganisms living in the soil, worms, birds, pollinating insects such as honey bees, frogs and other amphibians as well as fish have been investigated, according to a Bayer spokesman. So could it happen that glyphosate may also be used in the European Union beyond the approval period that expires at the end of 2022? Much speaks against it.

The Bayer Group sees itself confirmed by the current audit at EU level. Image: dpa

Federal government expects glyphosate to be phased out by 2024

The Federal Environment Ministry, led by Svenja Schulze (SPD), firmly expects that no more glyphosate-containing pesticides may be used from January 1, 2024 at the latest after the end of the one-year transition period. “In agreement with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, we continue to assume that the Federal Government (…) has decided to phase out glyphosate use in accordance with EU law,” it says WDR -Inquiry . About the corresponding amending regulation the Federal Council will decide next Friday. Until the end of the transition period, the application “may only take place if there are no alternative options, for example in the case of weeds that are difficult to control or areas at risk of erosion” – so it is in the voting proposal. Its use on areas that serve the general public, as well as in house and allotment gardens, is completely forbidden.

No further approval expected at EU level

Federal Minister of Agriculture Julia Klöckner (CDU) has also emphasized several times, a spokeswoman for her ministry told the WDR “It cannot be assumed that there will still be a majority after 2022 in favor of an extension of the glyphosate approval at EU level”.

In 2017, the dispute over glyphosate between the ministries almost led to a coalition crisis in Berlin. Because the former Agriculture Minister Christian Schmidt (CSU) voted “yes” in the responsible EU committee in Brussels , although the then Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks (SPD) strictly against an extension of the approval for glyphosate was. The different evaluations of the current incumbents are not so obvious. But in the letters of reply to the questions of the WDR There are differences: “Glyphosate-containing pesticides are important for soil-conserving and water-saving cultivation of arable land, especially in areas prone to erosion,” writes the Klöckner spokeswoman. Schulze’s spokesman, on the other hand, emphasizes the dangers for biodiversity: “As a total herbicide, glyphosate destroys all plants indiscriminately and thus destroys the food and livelihood for many insect species such as butterflies and, indirectly, for field birds such as the skylark.”

EU assessment expected in 2022

At the European level, the European Food Safety Authority EFSA and the European Chemicals Agency ECHA will start public participation at the beginning of September – results are expected in one year.

Bayer AG continues to rely on the controversial herbicide. Europe does not play a major role as a sales market. The agricultural countries in North and South America are more important. In the USA around ten billion euros have to be paid in the context of a settlement to 96,000 plaintiffs who blame glyphosate for their cancer, and billions more will be due for future plaintiffs . Bayer therefore wants to limit its use for private customers – but Roundup should continue to be used in large-scale agriculture. Only the warning notices should be made clearly more visible. glyphosate The weed killer glyphosate was developed by Bayer subsidiary Monsanto and marketed under the brand name Roundup. The herbicide is also manufactured by other companies, as the patent has expired for years. Bayer is faced with around 9,300 plaintiffs because of the weed killer in the United States, as glyphosate is suspected of being carcinogenic. This is based on the assessment of the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC), which classified the active ingredient as “probably carcinogenic” in 2015. The Bayer Group always emphasizes that glyphosate is safe when used properly and relies on a large number of scientific studies.

At the end of 2017, the EU Commission extended the approval of glyphosate by five years and now has to make a new decision. A first round of talks is to take place in September and then the EU member states will be involved. Against this background, the EU Commission commissioned the assessment group for glyphosate (consisting of the testing authorities in France, Hungary, the Netherlands and Sweden) to prepare a draft of the risk assessment. This 11,000-page draft was submitted to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in mid-June 2021. A final recommendation from EFSA can be expected in the second half of 2022 after the submission has been examined

Not only in North America, Australian farmers also have a headache with these two invasive plants known as super weeds. Photo: Civileats Recent studies have shown that Waterhemp and Palmer amaranth weeds threaten the food supply in North America and are increasingly resistant to herbicides, costing farmers a lot, especially by reducing yield and crop profitability. The results of the study showed that the broadleaf weeds Waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, which damage corn and soybeans in the Midwest of the United States, once caused yield losses of 40 to 70%. Accordingly, Bayer Crop Science has announced a new herbicide, expected to be released by the middle of this decade to help soybean and corn farmers combat weed problems, in particular two Dangerous invasive plants are Waterhemp and Palmer amaranth. Accordingly, the research and development of a new herbicide line Diflufenican will be introduced under the brand name Convintro. While it awaits approval from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Convintro products will be made available to soybean growers for use in post-ripening and pre-ripening applications. germination. Officials from the German chemical group also revealed that the new line of herbicides will also serve as a weed control tool for corn farmers. “Diflufenican has been used for many years in Europe and has demonstrated its ability to manage broad-leaved weeds in crops such as,” said Robert Schrick, Bayer’s crop protection product business lead lentils and winter cereals”. “The addition of a new product Diflufenican as the active ingredient for use in soybeans and corn is not only a first in North America, but also a new field of use for the two crops. Dangerous invasive weeds are Palmer amaranth and Waterhemp to protect soybean and corn fields. Accordingly, we will provide farmers with one more tool to add to their weed management plans,” said Robert Schrick at the press conference. Dwight Lingenfelter, an agricultural extension collaborator in the United States, stands next to a tall weed in a cornfield. Photo: PENN STATE Although the introduction of Diflufenican promises to help soybean farmers manage weeds and regain yield, Schrick says a balanced pest management approach is still the right way. “When it comes to weed management, the best approach is still an integrated, multi-site approach. Management plans that cover many years and a variety of crops will help farmers avoid problems like resistance,” said Mr. “Effective options for integrated weed management are a necessity,” said Frank Rittemann, Bayer Brand Manager for herbicide lines that damage corn, soybeans and cotton. We’re looking at chemicals that control some of the most challenging pests for farmers, and we’re relying on science to bring the best options to market, including in locations never before seen. previously exploited”. The Bayer research team continues to explore expanding opportunities to address today’s challenges and drive new innovations for our customers. “While there may be no silver bullet, our focus on crop protection will provide relentless advancements to add new tools where farmers need them,” said Mr. Rittemann. it’s the best”. Male (left) and female (right) Waterhemp weeds bloom in purple-red flowers in a soybean field in Chatham-Kent County, Ontario, Canada. Photo: fieldcropnews Earlier in a study published in the journal Weed Science , researchers from the University of Illinois (USA) have identified genetic markers that distinguish the male weed Waterhemp and the female weed Palmer amaranth. This milestone is seen as a new approach to genetics that may one day reduce the need for chemical drugs to control weeds. The researchers’ goal is to one day introduce genetically modified male plants to mate with wild female plants. The transgenic male plants will carry the gene drive (a technique to induce inheritance that favors specific genes to alter the population as a whole), a segment of DNA coding for masculinity will be passed on to all. its offspring and so on. Eventually, all plants in a given population will become male, reproduction will cease and the grass population will be destroyed.

The first robot tractor in operation on the farm in the UK. Photo: TL. According to Fram Famers (UK), commercial robot tractors have been put into operation at Home Farm Nacton (member of Fram), in Suffolk (United Kingdom), from mid-April. Technological improvement required, along with difficulties in finding seasonal labor, led to the investment of robot tractors at the aforementioned farm. Home Farm, which specializes in organic agricultural production, received the Robotti 150D from Agrointelli, a Danish company. It was the first robot tractor to operate in the UK, and is now fully operational on the farm. The Robotti 150D is used to till the soil to prevent weeds from sprouting by using a harrow attachment. In the near future, Robotti 150D at Home Farm will be used to perform many other jobs such as mowing the lawn, punching holes to plant onions, etc. Home Farm produces both organic and conventional vegetables, including leeks, bok choy, onions, beets, potatoes, sugar beets and grains, on 1,940 hectares. The farm is looking to apply more advanced technology to production and business activities. Andrew Williams, Home Farm manager, said: “A large portion of our produce is organic, so we are increasingly limited in how we can control weeds. Organic production requires a lot of repetitive work as the beds are constantly plowed and weeded. Meanwhile, sourcing seasonal workers, mainly foreigners, has become increasingly difficult. We want to look to the future of farming and Robotti fits our setup perfectly.” Designed and manufactured by Agrointelli, the Robotti 150D is controlled automatically by GPS via an integrated computer, independent of the operator, instead following a pre-programmed route in the field. Tractor Robotti 150D. Source: Agrointelli. “Accuracy lies in the GPS mapped field, with Robotti always taking the exact same lines,” explains Frederik Rom, sales manager for Agrointelli. It is equipped with an RTK GPS, so setting up on any farm is simple. It takes about 10 minutes to map the 4-acre field at Home Farm and another 10 minutes to log the weeding plan into the system. It is important that this is correct from the start, as it will determine reliable performance.”

Video: See the flower garden, agricultural products in the University in Saigon The garden is located on the campus of Thu Duc University of Social Sciences and Humanities, renovated since 2019. Mr. Vu Hong Phong (Head of Thu Duc Campus Management Board) said that the garden space is part of the university’s green university building program. “Replacing and renovating the weed areas, renewing the campus also makes the space in the school have a highlight, creating joy for teachers and students when they come to school,” he also said. The flower and fruit garden is cared for and developed by the green tree ancestors of Thu Duc facility. From the weeds, up to now the garden has bloomed full of fake flowers, there are many kinds of agricultural products such as eggplant, tomato, papaya, melon, cucumber, watermelon,…. The seed of the cloned star flower was given by a teacher in Quang Tri. Photo: KHANH CHI Sunflowers blooming in the garden. Photo: KHANH CHI The harvested fruits will be given to teachers, school staff and students when you visit. Some agricultural products in the garden: There are always signs reminding students not to pick flowers or break branches. Photo: KHANH CHI The swing in the middle of the garden is a favorite photo spot for students. Photo: KHANH CHI The garden becomes a virtual living place for students on campus. Photo: KHANH CHI This is also a place for students to rest after each class. Photo: KHANH CHI Nguyen Thi Huong (second year student, University of Social Sciences and Humanities) said: “The first time I went to the flower garden to take pictures, my friends and I were very surprised, did not think our school had such a beautiful garden. Looking at the flowers. Being here helps us relieve stress after every class, feel happy and comfortable. We also understand the green and environmentally friendly message that the school wants to send, from which we know how to live responsibly. , more environmental protection”.

Tub tree. To talk about this delicious and attractive dish, a resident shared about how to make a pickle dish that makes listeners crave: “In my hometown, in a popular or luxurious meal, there is a pickle dish. The salt from the rice water is delicious to eat and catch the rice. The salt bath is naturally fermented and sour, dipping it with the braised fish is really filling the stomach.” This type of weed is referred to as the plant, locally known as candle grass, this dish is delicious when eaten fresh, but if it is salted and sour, it is delicious. In the past, in the fields where water was flooded all year round, it was contaminated with alum, along the edges of ponds, rivers and lakes, there were lush green grasses shaped like rice plants. Therefore, people also consider tubs as a typical weed of the western river region. After discovering salt tolerance and special economic value, tubs were widely planted in Ca Mau regions. Because Ca Mau tub has a sweet and cool taste, it can be used to process many delicious dishes such as stir-fry or hot pot. But the most popular and favorite is still naturally fermented salt. Salt with water to wash rice, boil with salt to cool, put the tub under the water for about 3 days, it can be used well. Salted with rice water, the tub will be white and very tasty.

“On flowers, under flowers” The two sides of the road leading to the center of Tan Tru town (Tan Tru district, Long An province) are dragon fruit gardens, green rice fields. In particular, many gardens are covered with vacant land with colorful carpet of ten o’clock flowers. On these gardens, people do not let the dragon fruit beds grow weeds or leave them empty. Instead, they planted many varieties of ten o’clock flowers of different colors and sizes of flowers. Hung’s dragon fruit beds are covered with colorful flowers ten o’clock. Many kinds of flowers in ten o’clock with colors purple, pink, red, yellow … are planted along the straight rows of dragon fruit by the garden owner. Only a few days, this flower with vigorous vitality has covered the bare land on the soil of dragon fruit cultivation. When the flower is ten o’clock not yet flowering, from a distance, these dragon fruit gardens are like a jade green carpet. At the time of blooming, the green carpet turns into a “checkerboard” with red, purple, and yellow stripes from the ten o’clock flowers. The soil is rich in nutrients, so the flowers at ten o’clock grow very well, giving flowers dense, large flowers, eye-catching colors. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung (45 years old, living in Tan Tru district), the owner of a dragon fruit garden intercropped with flowers for ten hours, said he planted this flower in the garden all year round. “The moment the dragon blooms, under the tree, the flowers will produce flowers at ten o’clock. It can be said, at this time, my dragon fruit garden “on flowers under flowers” looks very eye-catching. Not far from Hung’s newly harvested orchard is a field with a dragon fruit garden in bloom. This place is also covered by garden owners with ten o’clock flowers for yellow, purple, red flowers … Anh Hung said that the ten-hour planting of flowers in the dragon fruit garden is very simple. “The land of Tan Tru is very much like ten o’clock, the garden owner just needs to ask for trees to cut them into small pieces and spread them on the garden. After a few days, ten o’clock will cover the soil and give brilliant flowers”, shared Hung. Seen from the road surface, the green dragon fruit garden stands out with purple, red, and yellow dots from the ten o’clock flower. In particular, small waterways for watering dragon fruits are also covered by this vibrant flower, blooming yellow flowers. Against weeds, creating landscape Near noon, ten o’clock flowers bloom brightly, covering the dirt trench between the rows of dragon fruit trees to form a long long strip of pink. Anh Hung said, normally, dragon fruit garden owners only use straw to cover and cover around the base of dragon fruits. The upper soil, between the beds, is often left empty by the garden owner, and weeds are overgrown. “Instead of letting weeds grow, absorbing the nutrients of the dragon fruit, I plant the flowers for ten hours. This flower is easy to grow, thrive without the need for care and fertilizer. Just planting for a while, they have grown into a carpet, covering the bare land so that weeds cannot grow ”, shared Mr. Hung. At the time of the flowering of the dragon fruit, together with the ten o’clock flower, the field of planting this fruit tree creates a very special “flower under the flower” scene. According to him, this is an effective, inexpensive and very safe way to combat weeds because there is no need to use chemical drugs to kill weeds. “In addition, planting flowers for ten hours on such soil beds is also for the purpose of making plants and dragon fruit clean, not clinging to soil or swollen. Because, when the flowers cover the bare land, the rain falls, the earth and mud do not shoot up, they stay on the body, flower, and dragon fruit ”, Mr. Hung added. Local people said that at any time of the year, almost the dragon fruit garden next to Hung’s house was also brilliant at ten o’clock. Even the garden is so beautiful that many people jokingly say it is a flower garden, not an orchard. Seen from the road surface, this field of dragon fruit stands out with the tiny yellow, purple and red dots from the ten o’clock flower. Hung said: “I plant flowers in the dragon fruit garden all year round, so there are always flowers to see. When the fruit is harvested, the flowers grow to cover the path. If I feel bad, I can use my hand to move the ten o’clock rope to pick dragon fruits ”. “If unfortunately not preserved, the flowers are damaged, then after a few days, they grow again, giving normal flowers. Due to the planting of flowers in the dragon fruit garden, there are ditches for irrigation and sufficient nutrition, so the flowers at ten o’clock grow very well, giving big flowers and beautiful colors, ”added Mr. Hung. The small trench used to water dragon fruits is also covered with ten o’clock yellow flowers, creating a beautiful landscape. Local people said that more and more garden owners planted this flower in the dragon fruit garden. This is both effective against weeds and creates a beautiful landscape at almost no cost. A local resident shared: “Every day, walking on this road has very beautiful moments. Early in the morning, when the ten o’clock flower is not yet blooming, the road looks like splitting the immense green patch of rice fields and dragon fruit gardens. Near noon, when the ten o’clock flower beds in the dragon fruit garden bloom, the pedestrians seem to be walking in the middle of a colorful flower garden. Currently, more and more people grow flowers for ten hours in dragon fruit gardens. Posts, photos, clips: Nguyen Son

In the water season, or when the flood overflows, even though the herbaceous plants have been drifted away, the industrious still cling, rising from the mud. In the past, gardening people pulled this tree to eat through hunger. Then so, the days passed gradually, industrious became the specialty vegetable dish of the people of the South, with high economic value. Currently, these vegetables bring to urban areas cost a few tens of thousands of dong to hundreds of thousands dong a kilogram and sometimes still “out of stock”.

Vegetable spinach.

Processing the industrious vegetables in the Mekong Delta style is very simple. Raw edible spinach is considered to be the best, retaining its nutrients when dotted with braised fish and braised fish juice. The crunchy, supple stalks combine with the richness of the dipping sauce to create a rustic but delicious dish! Or when there is no food at home, pick up a bunch of spinach, wash them, cut them into pieces, boil them with boiling water, pick them up with soybean sauce, soya sauce, and soy sauce all run out of the bottom of the pot of white rice. A little more picky can be salty. Salted and sour salted islet (for a few days), often served with main dishes such as braised meat, fried fish … Stir-fried island with shrimp, meat, heart is the favorite drink of gentlemen. .

Cu Neo also appears in hot pot dishes of the Southern people. Especially hot pot sauce, fish sauce warehouse, if there is a lack of industrious (or tai Tuong vegetables), even a multitude of other raw vegetables will feel lacking something. Not only hot pot sauce but also in the sour soup pot of Western people, industrious to help increase the taste, strange taste. Because in that fragile amaranth, there is a mild acrid taste, a light sweet taste and a salty taste of alluvial flavor.

According to the J’rai language, Chu Dang Ya means “wild ginger root”. Chu Dang Ya volcano is located in Chu Pah district, Gia Lai province. This is a volcano that was active millions of years ago. Now, looking down from above, the volcano is like a giant funnel, the crater basin is red with fertile basalt soil created by lava layers long ago.

Chu Dang Ya volcanic clouds.

During the yellow wildflowers season, the fields of Ia Gri village on Chu Dang Ya volcano become extremely beautiful. In the sky, white clouds swooped down low, and the ground was yellow, and beside the peaceful red dirt roads.

Before going to Ia Gri village to get really close to Chu Dang Ya volcano, if we depart from Pleiku city, we will pass the famous scenic T’nung lake, which the people still call “the lake”. This is also the “golden road” – yellow a wild flower. But not only that, this road also crosses the tea hills and green coffee fields that run as long as never ending. Then we will be surprised when the immediate appearance of a mountain full of yellow flowers: wildflowers.

According to geologists, Chu Dang Ya is a dead volcano, dating back millions of years and has long stopped lava spraying. It is the red basalt soil here that makes all year round plants green, crops do not have to be watered, and weeds grow overgrown.

The scene is as beautiful as a picture.

Chu Dang Ya is proud of many vegetation, from the ancient green forests, reed grass hills, foxtail grass and the fields where people grow maize, potatoes, pumpkins, canangs … Not only beautiful but also nourishing people, many generations of people here have grown up, contributing to building the homeland. Also from this volcanic crater, there are people who go far from the countryside but still deeply miss the wildflowers season, miss the deep blue sky, remember the red basalt color, and remember the nights together around the pink flame, to listen to the rustling forest wind and a humming gong that has echoed from the early days of the wild.

Today, coming to Chu Dang Ya – a volcano standing in the wild land of the mountains and forests of the Central Highlands, no one will not be fascinated by the unique and charming beauty of this place. If Lake T’nung appeared immensely like a mirror, Chu Dang Ya volcano was hidden among the majestic mountains.

On the way to Chu Dang Ya, the closer you are, the more you can feel a very special atmosphere. Peace of mind, as if away from noise and hustle-bustle in the city. Many people believe that this area is full of features of the mountains and forests of the Central Highlands. It was a wild but magnificent scene. An ancient and poetic space. The color of basaltic red soil that seemed to disappear quickly evoked a past that seemed to have been covered by the fog of time. Then even the trees hundreds of years old as witnesses of mountains and forests despite the changing times.

It is said that only the word “beautiful” can be used to partially express the beauty of Chu Dang Ya. The crimson coat of the lava line combines with the lush green color of the plants and trees, creating a vivid, energetic picture of this land.

The path of wild flowers.

In an early morning, when Mr. Sun was still asleep, the dew drops glittering on the leaves, the mysterious volcano loomed and fanciful. Tourists from far away love to immerse themselves in the sunrise space at the foot of Chu Dang Ya volcano. Light breeze, cool air with high humidity, gentle rays of sunshine … every morning of the year in Chu Dang Ya is also autumn, a very gentle autumn. Walking along the galangal fields or the weed flowers beside the green trees, seeing that life is so peaceful and happiness emerges in people’s hearts.

In the afternoon, standing on the high part of the legendary volcano Chu Dang Ya, panning around is a vast Central Highlands space.

Chu Dang Ya welcomes everyone. Up to now, this has become a favorite tourist destination of many domestic and foreign people. Coming to Chu Dang Ya, when leaving, all we could do was whisper: Dear Chu Dang Ya!

From Peiku to Chu Dang Ya, a favorite route for the journey of discovery is “The pine road – Bien Ho tea garden – Chu Dang Ya volcano”. This is a beautiful, romantic road with nature like a fairyland. You can stop to check-in by the beautiful old pine road or the green tea garden. And if you are lucky enough to come to Chu Dang Ya during the flowering season, you will have a memory that will never be forgotten.