Summary
The Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal from Bayer, the company behind Roundup weedkiller, to block lawsuits claiming the product causes cancer. The court will decide if the Environmental Protection Agency's approval of Roundup should prevent these state lawsuits. Bayer, which disputes the cancer claims, has set aside $16 billion for settlements.
Key Facts
- The Supreme Court will hear Bayer's appeal to block state lawsuits against its Roundup weedkiller.
- Bayer is facing around 181,000 claims alleging that Roundup causes cancer.
- The Environmental Protection Agency approved Roundup without a cancer warning.
- Bayer disputes the cancer claims but has reserved $16 billion for potential settlements.
- The case comes from Missouri, where a man was awarded $1.25 million for cancer after using Roundup.
- Bayer purchased Roundup maker Monsanto in 2018 and disputes conflicting lower court rulings.
- Glyphosate, Roundup's main ingredient, remains in U.S. agricultural products despite being removed from residential products.
- Bayer suggests it might pull glyphosate from U.S. agricultural markets if lawsuits continue.
