This was reported this week by Argentinian newspaper Pagina 12 after having access to diplomatic cables on this issue leaked by Wikileaks.

The president had ordered an investigation because she was concerned about the impacts of glyphosate on the health of the population, especially with reference to the increase of cases of cancer and birth defects caused by the use of this chemical product.

The diplomatic cables point out that the US Embassy submitted studies that supported the use of glyphosate to the Argentinian institute responsible for ensuring and certifying the safety and quality of agricultural production, SENASA. The Embassy decided to submit these documents as a response to studies carried out by Argentinian experts that challenged glyphosate, especially one carried out by Toxicologist Andres Carrasco with chicken embryos, and circulated by Pagina 12.

According to the leaked cable, the embassy acted this way to defend Monsanto’s interests, a company considered by the Embassy as “the most prominent circumstantial victim and more vulnerable to attack.”

The investigation ordered by President Fernandez is still under development: if it shows that glyphosate affects the health of the population, it will serve to limit, and eventually ban, the use of the herbicide in Argentina.

Photo: eldiario24