HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Environmental Advisory Committee_Tab 03_10/23/2019 Agenda Item #3.
Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC)
STAFF MEMO �
Meeting: Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) - Oct 23 2019
Staff Contact: Robert Shaw Department: Environmental Advisory
Committee
Consideration of Formally Requesting the Village Council to Adopt a Resolution Directing the Village
Manager to Take Any and All Actions Necessary to Ban the Use of Herbicides Containing Glyphosate
by Village Including, But Not Limited To, Village Employees and Village Contractors, in the
Performance of Landscaping and Maintenance Work On All Properties Owned, Leased or Under the
Custodial Care of the Village; Further Directing the Village Clerk to Transmit a Copy of this Resolution
to the Officials Stated Herein
ATTACHMENTS: V
Glyphosate VOT RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL
Gmail - Backup for Ageda Item for 10 23 EAC Meeting - Glyphosate Ban
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Agenda Item #3.
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA,
FL, DIRECTING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL ACTIONS
NECESSARY TO BAN THE USE OF HERBICIDES
CONTAINING GLYPHOSATE BY THE VILLAGE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, VILLAGE EMPLOYEES AND VILLAGE CONTRACTORS, IN THE
PERFORMANCE OF LANDSCAPING AND MAINTENANCE WORK ON ALL
PROPERTIES OWNED, LEASED OR UNDER THE CUSTODIAL CARE OF THE
VILLAGE; FURTHER DIRECTING THE VILLAGE CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY
OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS STATED HEREIN.
WHEREAS, glyphosate is a non- selective weed killer/ herbicide that is applied to the
leaves of plants to kill both broadleaf plants and grasses; and
WHEREAS, while the United States Environmental Protection Agency
considers glyphosate "not likely to be carcinogenic to humans," the International Agency for
Research on Cancer has classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans"; and
WHEREAS, Bayer AG, the manufacturer of Roundup (an herbicide containing
glyphosate) has, to date, lost three U.S. jury trials in litigation to plaintiffs that claimed exposure
to glyphosate in Roundup caused their cancer and thousands of more lawsuits have been filed
in state and federal courts across the country alleging that exposure to herbicide products
containing glyphosate is associated with increased instances of cancer; and
WHEREAS, researchers at Bowling Green State University studying the impact
of glyphosate on the water quality in Lake Erie have discovered a potential link
between glyphosate and harmful blue-green algal blooms; and
WHEREAS, the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta has determined that it is in
the best interest of the public health, safety, recreation, and general welfare of the residents of
the Village of Tequesta ("Village") to ban the use of herbicides containing glyphosate on all
properties owned, leased or under the custodial care of the Village;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and finding contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The Village Council directs the Village Manager to take any and all actions
necessary to ban the use of herbicides containing glyphosate by the Village, including but not
limited to Village employees and contractors, in the performance of landscaping and
maintenance work on all properties owned, leased or under the custodial care of the Village.
Section 3. The Village Council further directs the Village Clerk to transmit a copy of
this Resolution to the Florida Department of Agriculture, Palm Beach County League of Cities,
and all municipalities in Palm Beach County.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
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A10/16/201gena a Item #3. Gmail-Backup for Ageda Item for 10/23 EAC Meeting-Glyphosate Ban
Gmail Thomas Bradford <vot.tbradford.eac@gmail.com>
Backup for Ageda Item for 10/23 EAC Meeting - Glyphosate Ban
1 message
Robert Shaw<vot.rshaw.eac@gmail.com> Mon, Oct 14, 2019 at 11:18 AM
To: Thomas Bradford <vot.tbradford.eac@g mail.com>
Hi Tom,
Here's Back-up pursuant to the Glyphosate Ban agenda item for our 10/23 EAC meeting.
I've attached the prior information (see below) I had sent out to all committee members for our last meeting, as well as a
draft Resolution (attached) on Tequesta's Glyphosate Ban.
Regards,
Bob
Four factors for consideration in discussion of a ban on the use of herbicides containing Glyphosate by Tequesta
municipal employees and Village contractors are;
Potential health effects to humans from exposure to Glyphosate.
There is debate about whether Glyphosate exposure is linked to cancer. While the EPA
currently states that the chemical poses no risk to public health, the International Agency for
Research on Cancer has said it is "probably carcinogenic." University of Washington
researchers recently determined that exposure to glyphosate raises the cancer risk in humans
by 41%.
The potential for the elimination of insect populations crucial for ecosystems due to
Glyphosate's use. Attached here
(https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/04/germany-ban-glyphosate-weedkiller-by-2023?
CMP=share_btn_link) is an article from the Guardian published on 9/4/19. While the article addresses
concerns to human health and Germany's recent decision to ban Glyphosate completely by 2023, it also
details biologists' research on glyphosate use and consequential plummeting insect populations crucial for
ecosystems and pollination of food crops.
The risk of lawsuits by current and former village employees and contractors exposed to
Glyphosate.
Several high profile lawsuits against Roundup's manufacturer have been recently settled in favor of plaintiffs
that claimed their exposure caused their cancer. There are over 11,000 other lawsuits pending against the
manufacturer.
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Ag #- for other environmental issues due to GIYp hosate use.
A growing number of scientists believe that there is causal link between glyphosate use (thru it's breakdown
and release of phosphorous) near water bodies and the development of harmful algal blooms.
The following countries have issued outright bans on glyphosate, imposed restrictions or have issued statements of
intention to ban or restrict glyphosate-based herbicides, including Roundup, over health concerns and the ongoing
Roundup cancer litigation:
• Argentina: In 2015, more than 30,000 health care professionals advocated for a glyphosate ban following the
International Agency for Research on Cancer's (IARC) report on glyphosate, which concluded the chemical is
probably carcinogenic to humans. More than 400 towns and cities in Argentina have passed measures restricting
glyphosate use.
• Australia: Numerous municipalities and school districts throughout the country are currently testing alternative
herbicides in an effort to curtail or eliminate glyphosate use. Many use steam technology for weed control on
streets and in other public areas.
• Following a series of massive jury verdicts in Roundup cancer lawsuits in the United States, the Australian state of
Victoria launched its own review of glyphosate. Two councils in Sydney have either banned or are in the process of
banning glyphosate use, and eight other councils are reviewing the chemical.
• Austria: In June of 2019, Austria announced that it planned to ban glyphosate within the year. Leader of the Social
Democrats, Pamela Rendi-Wagner, said she is "pleased"that her party's long-standing effort to ban glyphosate in
Austria would "finally pay off" now that her party's motion had a majority in the Austrian parliament. The measure to
ban glyphosate passed in July of 2019. The Austria glyphosate ban will take effect on January 1, 2020.
• Bahrain: According to Oman's Ministry of Agriculture, Bahrain and five other countries in the Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC) have banned glyphosate.
• Belgium: Banned the individual use of glyphosate. In 2017, Belgium voted against relicensing glyphosate in the
EU. The country was also one of six EU member states to sign a letter to the EU Commission calling for"an exit
plan for glyphosate..."The city of Brussels banned the use of glyphosate within its territory as part of its "zero
pesticides" policy.
• Bermuda: Outlawed private and commercial sale of all glyphosate-based herbicides. In 2017, the government
relaxed its ban on glyphosate, allowing the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to import restricted
concentrations of glyphosate for managing roadside weed overgrowth.
• Brazil: In August of 2018, a federal judge in Brasilia ruled that new products containing glyphosate could not be
registered in the country. Existing regulations concerning glyphosate were also suspended, pending a reevaluation
of toxicological data by Anvisa, the country's health agency.
• In September of 2018, a Brazilian court overturned the federal judge's ruling. September marks Brazil's first month
of soybean planting. The country is the largest exporter of soybeans in the world, and as such, has become heavily
reliant on agrochemicals. Anvisa issued a statement following the court Is decision to overturn the ruling, saying it
will take necessary legal and technical steps in response. Further, Brazil's Solicitor General's office has said it is
preparing an appeal to the court decision with support from the Agriculture Ministry. Brazil's health agency
concluded a re-evaluation of glyphosate in February of 2019. Based on the agency's findings, a blanket ban of
glyphosate in Brazil is unlikely.
• Canada: Eight out of the 10 provinces in Canada have some form of restriction on the use of non-essential
cosmetic pesticides, including glyphosate. Vancouver has banned public and private use of glyphosate, aside from
the treatment of invasive weeds. In June of 2019, New Brunswick officials announced that the province
would reduce glyphosate spraying in certain areas with the promise that more regulation will follow.
• Colombia: In 2015, Colombia outlawed the use of glyphosate to destroy illegal plantations of coca, the raw
ingredient for cocaine, out of concern that glyphosate causes cancer. In March of 2019, President Ivan
Duque asked for the judicial ban on aerial glyphosate spraying to be lifted. However, in July of 2019, the
court maintained the judicial ban on glyphosate, ruling that the government has to prove that glyphosate is not
harmful to human health and the environment in order for the ban to be lifted.
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a ublic: A riculturenister Miroslav Toman said the country will limit glyphosate use starting in 2019.
Specifically, the Czech Republic will ban glyphosate as a weedkiller and drying agent.
• Denmark: The Danish Working Environment Authority declared glyphosate to be carcinogenic and has
recommended a change to less toxic chemicals. Aalborg, one of the largest cities in Denmark, issued private-use
glyphosate ban in September of 2017. In July of 2018, the Danish government implemented new rules banning the
use of glyphosate on all post-emergent crops to avoid residues on foods.
• El Salvador: In 2013, the country adapted a law banning glyphosate over links to deadly kidney disease. However,
by 2016, the legislation appeared to stall.
• France: French authorities banned the sale, distribution and use of Roundup 360 in early 2019. In May of 2019,
French Agriculture Minister Didier Guillaume announced that France would eliminate the use of glyphosate by
2021 with limited exceptions. Some 20 mayors throughout the country have banned glyphosate in their
municipalities.
• Germany: Environment Minister Svenja Schulze announced in September 2019 that Germany will ban glyphosate
by 2023. The ban, agreed to by the Cabinet, includes a "systemic reduction strategy"that will prohibit glyphosate
spraying in domestic gardens and at the edges of farmland. Certain retail stores in Germany have already pulled
glyphosate-based herbicides like Roundup from shelves.
• Greece: Greece was one of nine EU countries to vote against relicensing glyphosate in November of 2017. The
country was also one of six EU member states to sign a 2018 letter to the European Commission calling for"an
exit plan for glyphosate..."According to Greek Minister of Agricultural Development Evangelos Apostolou, "[i]t is
our duty to push in the direction of risk management, in the interests of consumers, producers and the
environment." In March of 2018, the Greek government approved a five-year license for Monsanto's
Roundup against the wishes of Greek environmentalists.
• India: In October of 2018, the government of Punjab banned the sale of glyphosate in the state. "All pesticide
manufacturers, marketers and dealers in the State shall not sell glyphosate formulations-concentrations with
immediate effect. The licensing authorities have been asked to take necessary steps for removal of entries for
glyphosate from the licenses issued by them,"said State Agriculture Secretary K.S. Pannu. In February of 2019,
the Indian state of Kerala issued a ban on the sale, distribution and use of glyphosate.
• Italy: Italy's Ministry of Health placed a number of restrictions on glyphosate use. Italian legislators have also
raised concerns about glyphosate safety, and have come out against relicensing the herbicide in the European
Union. In 2016, the Italian government banned the use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest treatment and placed
restrictions on glyphosate use in areas frequented by the public. In November of 2017, Italy was one of seven EU
nations to vote against relicensing glyphosate.
• Kuwait: According to Oman's Ministry of Agriculture, Kuwait and five other countries in the Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC) issued glyphosate bans.
• Luxembourg: One of Luxembourg's largest supermarket chains removed glyphosate from its shelves following the
release of the IARC glyphosate report. Luxembourg was one of nine EU countries to vote against relicensing
glyphosate in November of 2017, and in early 2018, the country signed a letter to the EU Commission calling for
"an exit plan for glyphosate..."
• Malawi: In April 2019, Malawi's Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development
told the country's National newspaper that import licenses for glyphosate-based herbicides like Monsanto's
Roundup would be suspended immediately.
• Malta: In July of 2019, Malta banned the use of glyphosate in public spaces. The spraying of glyphosate will not be
allowed on roadsides or near schools, among other places.
• Netherlands: Banned all non-commercial use of glyphosate.
• New Zealand: The cities of Auckland and Christchurch passed resolutions to reduce the usage of chemicals for
weed and pest control in public places. The Physicians and Scientists for Global Responsibility, a New Zealand
charitable trust, called for a glyphosate ban in 2015.
• Oman: Eng Saleh al Abri, director general of agricultural development in Oman's Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries (MoAF), told a reporter that glyphosate"hasn't been available in Oman since 2016." Eng Abri added,
"This active ingredient has been banned throughout the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council)since last year." In
addition to Oman, the GCC includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
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ortuga : rohibits the use of glyphosate in all public spaces. The president of the Portuguese Medical
Association has also called for a worldwide ban of glyphosate.
• Qatar: According to Oman's Ministry of Agriculture, Qatar and five other countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC) have banned glyphosate.
• St.Vincent and the Grenadines: Acting on advice from their Pesticides Board, the Caribbean country placed an
immediate suspension on the import of glyphosate-based herbicides.
• Saudi Arabia: Issued a glyphosate ban along with five other countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
• Scotland: Aberdeen cut back its use of herbicides and Edinburgh's City Council voted to phase out glyphosate. In
November of 2017, five of Scotland's six EU parliamentarians voted in favor of a motion that would phase out
glyphosate by 2022.
• Slovenia: Slovenia was one of six EU member states to sign a 2018 letter to the European Commission citing
"concerns" about the risks associated with glyphosate. The letter called upon the Commission to introduce "an exit
plan for glyphosate..."
• Spain: According to Kistine Garcia of the Spanish NGO, Ecologistas en Accion, Barcelona, Madrid, Zaragoza and
the region of Extremuda have decided to ban glyphosate. The regions of La Rioja (major Spanish wine region)and
Aragon have also approved motions against endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which includes glyphosate.
• Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka was the first country to issue a nationwide ban on glyphosate. However, in 2018, the
government decided to lift the ban due to crop losses and overgrowing weeds.
• Sweden: Raised concerns about glyphosate safety and has pushed against relicensing the herbicide in the EU. In
2017, the Swedish Chemicals Agency (SCA)announced it was planning to tighten rules on private use of plant
protection products. Under the plan, private users would only be allowed to use products containing "low-risk
substances."According to the SCA, glyphosate is an example of an active substance not expected to be included
among low-risk substances, meaning in due time, private consumers may not be permitted to use herbicides
containing glyphosate.
• Switzerland: Concerned about public well-being, the Swiss supermarket chains Migros and Coop removed
glyphosate-based products from their shelves due to health risks. In 2017, the Green party put forth a plan to ban
glyphosate in Switzerland. The proposed plan was rejected by the Federal Council, Switzerland's executive.
• Thailand: In August 2019, Deputy Agriculture Minister Mananya Thaiseth ceased licensing extensions for three
hazardous farm chemicals, including glyphosate. According to Thaiseth, glyphosate will be banned by the end of
2019.
• United Arab Emirates: Issued a glyphosate ban along with five other countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council.
• United Kingdom: Following the landmark$289 million Monsanto Roundup verdict on Aug. 10, 2018, Homebase,
one of the UK's largest DIY retailers, announced that it would review the sale of Roundup and Ranger Pro.
However, according to the Sun, Homebase and other major retailers still stock the weed killers for sale.
• Vietnam: Following the jury verdict in Hardeman v. Monsanto Co., Vietnam announced that it would ban
glyphosate imports.According to Hoang Trung, Director of the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development, "the removal of this substance from the list of pesticides allowed to be used in
Vietnam will be done in the near future."
Also of note is the decision by the retailer Costco to stop stocking Roundup on it's shelves in 2019.
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The following are some of the growing list of communities/counties in Florida that have
banned the use of glyphosate-based herbicides by their employees and contractors.
- Jupiter-Town Council agreed in September of this year to work on a Resolution banning it's use by public
employees and it's contractors.
- Martin County—The local government instituted a Roundup ban that applies to all county employees and
contractors working on county projects.
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gA Stuart-a Citycommissioners voted to ban glyphosate, calling for an integrated pest control Ian that reduces
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the use of glyphosate with the ultimate goal of eliminating chemicals. Stuart officials estimated that it would cost
the city$8,000/year more to use alternative and safer products than Glyphosate on city lands.
® Fort Myers Beach—The city has decided to ban Roundup.
Key West—Key West City Commission banned the use of Roundup on city-owned property, citing a $2.055
billion jury verdict in California.
= Miami— Announced a city-wide ban on glyphosate-based herbicides in February of 2019.Attached here is a
link to city of Miami's Resolution - http://miamifl.igm2.com/Citizens/Detail—LegiFile.aspx?
ID=5484&highlightTerms=glyphosate
Miami Beach—Passed a resolution banning the use of glyphosate weed killers for landscaping and
maintenance work on city-owned property.
North Miami—City Council approved a plan calling for the gradual reduction of pesticide use on city property
and a study on alternative pesticides.
Satellite Beach—City Council unanimously approved a resolution that bans the city and its contractors from
using glyphosate-based herbicides, including Monsanto's Roundup.
Robert Shaw
Vice-Chair Environmental Advisory Committee
Village of Tequesta
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA.docx
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