Trump Signs Executive Order Protecting Glyphosate-Based Herbicides Amid Cancer Concerns and Lawsuits

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at protecting the production of glyphosate-based herbicides, such as Roundup, which have been linked to cancer and are at the center of a barrage of lawsuits in the United States. The move has sparked widespread criticism from health and environmental advocates, who argue that the order prioritizes the interests of corporations over public health.

The executive order, titled "Promoting the National Defense by Ensuring an Adequate Supply of Elemental Phosphorus and Glyphosate-Based Herbicides," seeks to ensure the continued production of glyphosate-based herbicides, which are widely used in agriculture and landscaping. The order also aims to provide "immunity" for makers of the herbicides, including Monsanto, the manufacturer of Roundup, which has been the subject of numerous lawsuits alleging that the product causes cancer.

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, has been linked to cancer by several bodies, including the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which classified the chemical as "probably carcinogenic to humans" in 2015. Studies have also shown that exposure to glyphosate can increase the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the immune system.

Despite these concerns, the Trump administration has consistently supported the use of glyphosate-based herbicides. In 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that glyphosate was safe for use, despite the IARC's classification. The EPA's decision was met with criticism from health and environmental advocates, who argued that the agency had ignored scientific evidence linking glyphosate to cancer.

The executive order has been strongly criticized by health and environmental advocates, including the Make America Healthy Again (Maha) coalition, which has called on the administration to prioritize public health over corporate interests. "This executive order is a clear example of the Trump administration's willingness to put the interests of corporations ahead of the health and well-being of the American people," said a spokesperson for the coalition.

The order has also been criticized by lawmakers, including Senator Kamala Harris, who has called on the administration to reconsider its decision. "The science is clear: glyphosate is a carcinogen that poses a significant risk to public health," Harris said in a statement. "The Trump administration's decision to prioritize the interests of corporations over public health is unacceptable and must be reversed."

The use of glyphosate-based herbicides has been the subject of widespread litigation in the United States, with thousands of lawsuits filed against Monsanto alleging that the product causes cancer. In 2018, a California jury awarded $289 million to a groundskeeper who alleged that his use of Roundup had caused his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The verdict was later reduced to $78 million, but it marked a significant victory for plaintiffs in the ongoing litigation.

The executive order is likely to face challenges in court, with health and environmental advocates vowing to fight the decision. "We will do everything in our power to ensure that this executive order is overturned and that the public's right to know about the risks associated with glyphosate-based herbicides is protected," said a spokesperson for the Maha coalition.

In conclusion, the Trump administration's decision to protect the production of glyphosate-based herbicides despite links to cancer and widespread litigation has sparked widespread criticism from health and environmental advocates. The executive order prioritizes the interests of corporations over public health and highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the regulation of toxic chemicals.