JUDGE William Shubb of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California has issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting California from implementing its Prop 65 labelling requirement for the herbicide, glyphosate.

As reported by Grain Central in February (see story here), US farmers initiated court action to prevent California adding glyphosate to its Prop 65 list of substances “known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity”.

The preliminary injunction halts California’s labelling requirement until a final ruling on the matter is issued by the court.

The injunction was sought by the US agriculture coalition and supported by 11 attorneys general across the US.

The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) is the lead plaintiff in the case against California filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of California.

The plaintiffs include the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, the Agricultural Retailers Association, Associated Industries of Missouri, Iowa Soybean Association, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CropLife America, Missouri Farm Bureau, National Corn Growers Association, North Dakota Grain Growers Association, South Dakota Agri-Business Association and United States Durum Growers Association.

Meanwhile, the Ag Defense Alliance, a national coalition of farmers and agriculture networks, has launched a new website providing resources and information about its case against California’s Prop 65 listing of glyphosate.

“The new site will be used to communicate the importance of one tool to farmers, glyphosate. Glyphosate is a safe for use and effective crop protectant used by growers to provide an abundant, safe, and affordable supply of food,” National Association of Wheat Growers chief executive, Chandler Goule, said.

“Our coalition understands the importance of glyphosate to our nation’s agriculture economy and we are committed to communicating with all interested stakeholders as our case moves forward against California’s unjustified Prop 65 listing of glyphosate.”

Source: NAWG

NAWG is the primary representative in Washington DC for US wheat growers.