Syngenta values constructive dialogue with stakeholders and respects differing opinions. However, the Feb. 21st, 2014 Democracy Now report contained statements by Dr. Hayes that are completely false, without merit and harmful to the reputation of both the company and our employees.
In the course of The New Yorker magazine’s preparation of an article on Syngenta and the U.S. regulatory process, we provided important input and corrections of fact to both its staff writer and fact checker. Unfortunately, the magazine chose to ignore much of this information and gloss over key points, in order to present a highly slanted and false narrative to its readers.
It’s unfortunate and surprising that The New Yorker story criticizes a requirement that regulatory decisions “rely on studies that meet high standards for ‘quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity.’” We support sound science and hope that U.S. policy continues to be based on well-tested, solid research.
Syngenta stands by the safety of atrazine. Our goal always has been to clearly communicate the facts about atrazine and correct the record where there is misinformation regarding the established safety of our product. And we will continue to defend our product and encourage others to share their knowledge, experience and scientific data about the safety and benefits of atrazine.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a rigorous and transparent registration process for products like atrazine. This process relies on sound science and requires more than 120 health, safety and environmental tests conducted under strict regulations as well as public disclosure of data, and numerous opportunities for public comment and input. As part of its safety record, atrazine has passed multiple reviews by the EPA that included a definitive study demonstrating atrazine has no impact on amphibian reproductive health (Kloas, 2009). In 2012, EPA reaffirmed its position, stating ‘…no additional testing is warranted to address this issue.’
Atrazine is one of the most carefully studied and thoroughly tested compounds in the world. Nearly 7,000 scientific studies conducted over more than 50 years establish its safety for humans and the environment. EPA, the World Health Organization and government regulators in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia have found atrazine to be safe at levels found in the environment. Scientists have also documented the extensive environmental and economic benefits farmers who safely use atrazine have been experiencing for more than 50 years.
Sound science has shown that atrazine does not and cannot cause adverse effects at levels that people would ever be exposed to in the real-world environment. That’s why millions of farmers rely on atrazine to protect our food supply and help feed the world.
