US environment watchdog says weed killer glyphosate is 'probably not carcinogenic'

The US Environmental Protection Agency has said its current position on glyphosate, the key ingredient in Monsanto Co's Roundup herbicide, is that the chemical is not likely carcinogenic to humans.

The agency's "proposed" position on the controversial chemical was outlined in a 227-page paper it published on the regulations.gov website, which the EPA manages.

After reviewing the available data, the paper states, "The strongest support is for 'not likely to be carcinogenic to humans' at doses relevant to human health risk assessment."

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EPA officials could not immediately be reached for comment on Friday.

The paper was among 86 documents, which included dozens of research studies about glyphosate. All the material is to be reviewed next month by an advisory group of scientists known as the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel.

The panel is tasked with reviewing scientific issues related to the agency's ongoing evaluation of whether the herbicide does - or does not - have the potential of causing cancer in humans. It will also comment on the agency's review and evaluation process in how it...