The Missouri House of Representatives has voted in favor of a proposal that could shield the manufacturer of the popular weedkiller Roundup from costly lawsuits alleging that it failed to adequately warn customers about the potential cancer risks of its product. The legislation, if passed by the Senate, would declare that federally approved pesticide labeling is sufficient to satisfy any requirement for a cancer warning label. This would effectively thwart future failure-to-warn allegations in lawsuits against Bayer, the chemical giant that acquired Monsanto, the original producer of Roundup. Bayer has faced an avalanche of legal claims involving Roundup, with some studies suggesting a link between its key ingredient, glyphosate, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Despite this, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maintains that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic when used as directed. Bayer has set aside $16 billion to resolve some of the tens of thousands of legal claims against it, but it continues to dispute the allegations. Some Democrats and Republicans spoke out against the legislation, arguing that it prioritizes corporate interests over public health. However, supporters of the bill contend that it is necessary to protect Bayer and ensure the continued availability of Roundup for farmers, who rely heavily on the product. The legislation will now move to the Missouri Senate for further consideration.
Missouri House Backs Legislation to Shield Weedkiller Manufacturer from Cancer Lawsuits
