Posted by norman
(here)
It's a relief, in a way, for me, that the Glyphosate issue has now risen up in the public consciousness. I mentioned the use of it in wheat harvesting practices several times in recent years on forums and got either no response at all or a shake of the head.
I spent 6 years as a seasonal tractor driver harvesting wheat and re sowing it on a big farm in northern England. That farmer was spraying Glyphosate on the wheat a week or so before the combine went in.
After each season, I was usually ill. On 2 occasions, very ill. The guy in the cab of the combine was well protected unless he had a blockage or breakdown and actually had to climb out of the cab. I also had the extra exposure of being the one who reworked the soil ( with discs, not a plough ). They say glyphosate breaks down in the soil and quickly becomes harmless. I don't believe that.
In the UK you have to have a spraying license to be able to operate spraying equipment. That sounds good, by implying that there are safe practices being adhered to. Actually, it only makes it less likely that the general public will ever hear the truth of what goes on.
There other nasty organophosphates in farming. Sheep Dip is one that needs looking into.