Please take a few moments to try to prevent up to 100x increased glyphosate residue on our food! 2 days left to sign the petition below.

Glyphosate is the chemical in Roundup and similar pesticides. It can decimate populations of pollinators, and is shown to be very harmful to humans and ecosystems.

Recently, extremely little time was given by the government to send in submissions on proposed law changes to allowable food residue levels of glyphosate. We made a submission only just in time (in a hurry). See our submission at the bottom of this post. (Submissions are now closed). 

Meanwhile, Jade Steel's petition on the lack of consultation has been gathering signatures quickly. Please use the link below to sign.

The petition requests: That the House of Representatives urge the Government not to increase glyphosate residue limits in food, and to hold an independent reassessment of glyphosate's safety and long-term effects on public health and the environment.

New Zealand Food Safety has proposed raising glyphosate residue limits in wheat, oats and barley from 0.1 to 10 mg/kg, and to 6 mg/kg in peas. The World Health Organization in 2015 classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen. Studies link it to cancer, neurological effects, infertility, hormone disruption and gut damage. I feel many more studies are needed. I think raising glyphosate limits would be irresponsible, unsafe, and would put the health of Kiwis and our soil behind industry profit.

Please sign Jade's petition here https://petitions.parliament.nz/66da9603-f385-44ff-abda-08dd8139b86b

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed increase in glyphosate Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) in food as outlined in the March 2025 Discussion Document from New Zealand Food Safety.

I disagree with the proposed changes to glyphosate residue limits in wheat, oats, barley, and field peas. Increasing MRLs from 0.1 mg/kg to 6–10 mg/kg puts public health at risk, undermines food safety standards, and erodes trust in New Zealand’s regulatory systems.

This proposed change runs contra to the increased awareness in the USA, Europe and globally about the dangers of glyphosate. There is also a growing body of research as to the harms, which I believe fall broadly into the categories below, but may not be limited to these.

As a consumer and citizen, I am concerned about the negative effects of high glyphosate levels upon:

- Bees, insects and pollinators

- Ecosystems, soil and environmental health

- Human short term and long term health, including reproductive health

- Local environmental impacts upon neighbouring organic and regenerative farmers who choose not to use it, as well as home gardeners

- Branding and marketing of NZ exports.

I urge MPI to maintain the current, more precautionary MRLs and prioritise a reduction in chemical residues in our food system for human and environmental reasons.

Please keep me informed on the outcome of this consultation.