The Feed: Sept 4

https://youtu.be/j39V_eJ-FjQ

Tonight The Feed looks into the safety of a popular weedkiller and speaks to the family of a farmer who is now dealing with a cancer diagnosis.

In 2010, Australian farmer, Tralee Snape, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, and told she had six months to live. But it was what the oncologist said to her that really hit home.

“He said you’ve got farmer’s Lymphoma, and asked what we did for work, and we said we’re farmers – and these are the words that you don’t forget – he said, too many farmers are being are represented in this particular sort of cancer for it to be a coincidence,” says Tralee’s husband Ron.

In a special report airing tonight, 7.30pm, The Feed speaks to the Snape family about their experience using popular garden treatment, Roundup – one of the bestselling weedkillers in Australia since the 1970s.

A landmark US lawsuit last month put new attention on the potential health risks of Roundup, and the debate over those risks. A jury in California recently awarded $US289 million ($395 million) to a former gardener, DeWayne Johnson, who blames Roundup for his terminal case of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Since its invention by chemical company Monsanto in 1974, the herbicide is a primary tool of agriculture in Australia and around the world, and millions of litres are used every year in home gardens and by community councils.​

In 2015, the World Health Organisation classified glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) as ‘probably carcinogenic’, however Monsanto vigorously rejects the allegations.

The Feed speaks to researchers and scientists, some of whom say the jury is still out on whether the popular weedkiller poses risks to the average consumer.

“Every regulator around the world has looked at this substance over the last 40 years and found that particularly if used in the way that we use it, it is safe,” says Fiona Simson, President of the National Farmers Federation.

However, environmental groups like Greenpeace are taking up the fight to halt sales of the product.

“Given all of the evidence we’re seeing, we think that there should be extreme caution around Roundup. It’s a dangerous chemical that we don’t know enough about,” says Jamie Hanson, Head of Campaigns at Greenpeace.

Tonight, join The Feed for a special report that shines a light on the potential dangers of the chemical.

7:30pm tonight on SBS VICELAND.