Supreme Court to Review Roundup Maker’s Appeal to Halt Lawsuits

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from Bayer, the agrochemical giant, aiming to halt numerous lawsuits over its widely used herbicide, Roundup. This decision arises amid claims that the product, primarily due to its active ingredient, glyphosate, could potentially cause cancer.

Background on Roundup Lawsuits

Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, is facing about 181,000 lawsuits related to Roundup. These claims largely stem from allegations that the company failed to warn users about possible cancer risks linked to glyphosate. Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that glyphosate is not likely carcinogenic when used correctly, various studies suggest otherwise.

Supreme Court’s Consideration

The Supreme Court’s review will focus on whether the EPA’s prior approval of Roundup as safe should influence the state court claims. The Trump administration has supported Bayer’s position, contrasting with the Biden administration’s stance. This has created tensions among some supporters of the Make America Healthy Again initiative.

Key Case Details

The Supreme Court will hear a case from Missouri, where a jury awarded $1.25 million to a man diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after using Roundup. This follows a 2022 decision where the Court declined to take up a related case from California, which resulted in an $86 million judgment in favor of a couple who used the product.

Bayer’s Response and Future Actions

Bayer has allocated $16 billion to resolve claims related to Roundup. However, it has also sought legislative actions in various states, such as Georgia and North Dakota, to limit these lawsuits. The company has ceased using glyphosate in residential Roundup sold in the U.S. but continues to use it in agricultural products designed for genetically modified crops.

• Key Statistics:
  • Approximately 181,000 lawsuits against Bayer related to Roundup.
  • $16 billion set aside by Bayer to address court claims.
  • $1.25 million awarded in a recent Missouri case.
  • More than $86 million awarded in a California case prior.

Bayer’s CEO, Bill Anderson, stressed that the legal system should protect companies complying with federal regulations. However, environmental advocates express concern that the Court’s decision may deny justice to countless Roundup users suffering from health issues.

The timing of the arguments is yet to be confirmed, with speculation on whether they will take place in spring or in October 2024.