Bayer’s Monsanto urges Missouri judge to approve $7.25 billion Roundup deal

• Settlement offers payouts of $10,000 to $165,000 to individuals who developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after Roundup exposure, with amounts based on cancer severity, age at diagnosis, and exposure location
• A U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June weakened many cases by cutting off claims that Roundup's label should have included cancer warnings, prompting some plaintiffs who initially opted out to rejoin the settlement
• Objectors argue the settlement is inadequate given that Roundup remains on the market and studies show 80% of Americans have been exposed to glyphosate, suggesting potential for broader future claims

Summary

Bayer's Monsanto unit is urging a Missouri judge to approve a $7.25 billion settlement to resolve approximately 65,000 lawsuits alleging its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer. Judge Timothy Boyer heard arguments in St. Louis on Monday, though no immediate ruling is expected.

Key Settlement Details:

• Proposed payouts range from $10,000 to $165,000 for individuals who developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after Roundup exposure
• Awards depend on cancer severity, diagnosis age, and exposure location (home or workplace)
• Settlement aims to resolve nearly all existing and future U.S. Roundup cancer claims

Company Position:

Monsanto attorney James Bennett emphasized this is the only settlement offer available, warning the company will litigate if the deal is rejected. Bayer denies Roundup causes cancer, citing decades of safety studies on glyphosate, the weedkiller's key ingredient.

Opposition Arguments:

Objectors claim the settlement is inadequate, noting few claimants will qualify for maximum payouts. Attorney T. Roe Frazer highlighted that Roundup remains on the market and approximately 80% of Americans have been exposed to glyphosate, suggesting future claims could be extensive.

Market Impact:

The litigation has significantly burdened Bayer since its 2018 Monsanto acquisition, costing billions and pressuring stock performance. A 2020 attempt to settle future claims for $1.25 billion was rejected by courts. Some plaintiff attorneys now support the settlement following a June U.S. Supreme Court ruling that undermined labeling-related claims.

The settlement requires court approval to take effect, representing a critical juncture for Bayer's attempt to resolve this prolonged legal overhang.