🌱 What’s the Verdict on Monsanto’s Weedkiller?
A recent jury ruling has ordered Bayer, the parent company of agrochemical giant Monsanto, to pay a staggering $2.25 billion, including $2 billion in punitive damages. This was in relation to a case where a man named John McKivison filed a lawsuit in Philadelphia, alleging that his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of cancer, was a result of using Roundup, the company’s weedkiller.
👨⚖️ What Does the Jury’s Decision Mean?
The jury unanimously found Roundup to be a cancer-causing product, deemed Monsanto negligent, and concluded that the company failed to adequately warn stakeholders about the product’s dangers. Lawyers representing McKivison expressed that the punitive damages send a strong message, condemning what they described as decades of misconduct by Monsanto.
💬 How Does Bayer Respond to the Verdict?
Bayer plans to appeal the verdict, denouncing the damages as “unconstitutionally excessive.” In an emailed statement, Bayer reiterated its stance, stating that the jury’s decision contradicts scientific evidence and regulatory assessments that uphold the safety of Roundup.
🦺 What’s the Background on Roundup’s Safety?
The controversy surrounding Roundup revolves around its active ingredient glyphosate, which Monsanto introduced 50 years ago. While the U.S. EPA and other regulatory bodies hold their stance that glyphosate is safe when used as directed, the World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer labeled it as “probably carcinogenic to humans” in 2015.
⬅️ How Has Bayer Responded Previously?
Bayer agreed in 2020 to settle tens of thousands of claims related to Roundup’s alleged link to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for approximately $10 billion, without admitting any wrongdoing. However, fresh lawsuits have persisted and Bayer’s CEO reaffirmed the company’s support for glyphosate, emphasising its regulatory approvals and safety assessments.
💼 Will Bayer Alter Its Legal Strategy?
Despite the recent courtroom loss and the substantial damages awarded, Bayer’s CEO Bill Anderson holds his ground on the company’s support for glyphosate. Anderson emphasised that glyphosate has received approval and deemed safe by regulators across major jurisdictions, signalling Bayer’s commitment to defending the product in ongoing litigation.