Glyphosate Ruling: Greenpeace Calls for Testing

Greenpeace Aotearoa has welcomed the Government’s decision not to increase glyphosate residue levels on key cereal crops — but warns that without enforcement and renewed testing, food safety protections risk becoming hollow promises. The fight over agri-chemicals in New Zealand’s food system is far from over.

Government Backs Down on Glyphosate Increase

Greenpeace welcomes a decision by New Zealand Food Safety to maintain maximum glyphosate residue levels on wheat, oats and barley at their current level of 0.1mg/kg, but now calls on NZFS to restart its glyphosate testing programme.

The government had initially proposed increasing glyphosate residue levels by 100-times. But there was overwhelming opposition to the increase among the more than 3,100 submissions on the proposal.

Greenpeace Aotearoa Executive Director Dr. Russel Norman says: “This is a great victory. People were totally opposed to the plan to increase glyphosate on wheat, oats and barley.

“However, we also note that NZFA stopped testing for glyphosate after it found residues in food well over the 0.1mg/kg level in 2015/16. We are seeking an assurance from NZFA that they will include glyphosate in their next round of food testing.

“We are also concerned that NZFA has taken no enforcement action in over a decade when it finds pesticides at levels above the legal maximum allowed in food. There is not much point having legal maximums if they are not enforced.”

Health Concerns and WHO Classification

Glyphosate is classified by the WHO as a probable carcinogen.

“New Zealanders can now eat their cereals and bread with the knowledge that glyphosate levels aren’t increasing and staying the same at 0.1 mg/kg.

Enforcement, Testing and Food Safety Accountability

“We are also pleased that NZFA has introduced a requirement that, where glyphosate is used on cereal crops, it can only be sprayed prior to the crops emerging, and may not be sprayed directly on crops destined for human consumption.

“A large body of scientific evidence has demonstrated harm to human health and the environment from glyphosate. Our long term goal is to reduce and, where possible, eliminate the use of agri-chemicals. Any steps in this direction are welcome.

Concerns Over Increased Residue Limits on Dried Peas

However, the decision to increase the levels of glyphosate on dried peas to 6 mg/kg is disappointing, says Dr Norman.

“Raising the glyphosate MRL on dried peas gives tacit approval for the increased and ongoing use of agri-chemicals in the food system. Instead of making it easier to spray toxic chemicals on our food, the Government should be supporting farmers to transition to ecological farming that protects people and the planet.”

Maintaining current residue limits may prevent a regulatory rollback, but without transparent testing and enforcement, public confidence will remain fragile. The debate over glyphosate is ultimately about trust — in science, in regulators, and in the integrity of New Zealand’s food system.