Roundup lawsuits are spurring legislation across states to protect Bayer and other pesticide manufacturers from litigation. This move taps into the agricultural sector's considerable clout, aiming to insulate these firms from the financial repercussions of legal actions tied to health risks.
Lisa Held reports for Civil Eats.
In short:
- Bayer's acquisition of Monsanto has escalated its efforts to counteract legal challenges over the health impacts of Roundup.
- State proposals, mirroring each other's language, aim to limit legal recourse for individuals claiming harm from pesticide exposure.
- Regulatory debates pit the EPA's safety assurances against international and independent studies highlighting potential cancer links.
Key quote:
“There is strong evidence . . . that Monsanto does not particularly care whether its product is in fact giving people cancer, focusing instead on manipulating public opinion and undermining anyone who raises genuine and legitimate concern about the issue."
— U.S. District Court Judge Vince Chhabria
Why this matters:
If federal law were to preempt state and local laws regarding pesticide regulation and labeling, it could limit the ability of states and municipalities to enact stricter safety measures or warnings than those required by the federal government. This could result in a lower level of protection for individuals in jurisdictions that wish to implement more stringent safety requirements.
Q&A with author lymphoma specialist Chadi Nabhan, MD, MBA: Fighting for justice against cancer-causing weed killer.
