German pharmaceutical and agricultural giant Bayer has been ordered by a U.S. court to pay $2.1 billion (€1.9 billion) in damages over claims that its Roundup weed killer caused cancer. The ruling, issued by the State Court of Cobb County in Georgia, marks one of the largest settlements Bayer has faced since acquiring Roundup manufacturer Monsanto in 2018.
The court’s verdict includes $2 billion (€1.9 billion) in punitive damages and $65 million (€60 million) in compensatory damages. The lawsuit was filed by a plaintiff who alleged that long-term exposure to Roundup led to his diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer. Bayer, however, maintains that the herbicide’s active ingredient, glyphosate, is safe and does not pose a carcinogenic risk.
Following the ruling, Bayer’s stock plummeted 6.4% on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, signaling investor concerns over the financial burden posed by ongoing litigation. The company has already paid out approximately $10 billion (€9.2 billion) in Roundup-related settlements, with thousands of additional cases still pending. Bayer has set aside roughly $5.9 billion (€5.4 billion) to cover legal costs associated with these lawsuits.
Bayer to Appeal the Verdict
Bayer has announced plans to appeal the court’s decision, arguing that both the punitive and compensatory damages are excessive and unconstitutional. The company also asserts that scientific evidence and global regulatory assessments support the safety of glyphosate.
In a statement, Bayer reaffirmed its stance that Roundup does not cause cancer and criticized state-level litigation, contending that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has deemed glyphosate safe for use. The company has urged U.S. lawmakers to provide better legal protections against such lawsuits, warning that without regulatory intervention, it may be forced to discontinue Roundup sales in the U.S.
Roundup’s Future in Question
The growing legal pressure has raised concerns about the future availability of Roundup, a widely used herbicide in American agriculture. Glyphosate is a crucial component in the cultivation of crops such as cotton, corn, and soybeans, with many farmers relying on its effectiveness for weed control.
Bayer’s acquisition of Monsanto for $63 billion (€58.1 billion) in 2018 has proven to be a controversial decision, as the company continues to grapple with legal challenges stemming from Roundup-related lawsuits. Critics argue that Bayer underestimated the litigation risks associated with glyphosate, while supporters insist that regulatory agencies have consistently upheld the product’s safety.
Despite the ongoing legal battles, Bayer remains committed to defending Roundup’s safety profile. However, the financial strain from litigation and the possibility of additional settlements could influence the company’s long-term strategy regarding the herbicide’s future.
Euronews has reached out to Bayer for further comment on the ruling and its potential implications.
