JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bayer, a global chemical manufacturer, announced on Tuesday its plans to increase efforts to create legal protections against a wave of lawsuits alleging that its widely-used weedkiller could cause cancer, after facing setbacks in several U.S. states this year.
Bayer, which denies the cancer allegations, is currently dealing with approximately 170,000 lawsuits related to its Roundup weedkiller and has allocated $16 billion for settlements. However, the company argues that the legal battles are unsustainable and is seeking relief from state lawmakers.
In its efforts to pass legislation that could have eliminated a central legal argument in Missouri, Iowa, and Idaho, Bayer’s lobbying attempts did not succeed this year. Despite bills making progress in Iowa and Missouri, they ultimately failed in all three states.
Bayer has stated that it will renew its push for legislation during the upcoming legislative sessions next year and may expand its efforts beyond these states.
“This is a broader issue that goes beyond individual states and Bayer,” said Jess Christiansen, head of Bayer’s crop science and sustainability communications. “It concerns the tools that farmers need to maintain crop production.”
Many farmers in the U.S. rely on Roundup, which was introduced five decades ago as a more efficient method for weed control, reducing tillage and soil erosion. The lawsuits claim that glyphosate, the key ingredient in Roundup, causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma, despite conflicting studies on its carcinogenic properties.
The legislation supported by Bayer aims to shield pesticide companies from failing-to-warn claims related to cancer if their labels comply with EPA regulations.
Bayer’s recent quarterly report revealed layoffs of over 1,500 employees, part of a global restructuring effort amid various challenges, including litigation.
Bayer has formed a coalition of agricultural groups to advocate for protective legislation for pesticide producers through a media campaign in states like Missouri, where a large number of legal claims are pending.
Legal experts suggest that while protective legislation may not impact current lawsuits, it could limit future claims.
The deadline for passing legislation in Missouri has passed, but if the bill is revisited next year, it may face opposition from senators concerned about limiting individuals’ rights to a jury trial.
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