Litigation Overview

Litigation Overview

Farmers and growers have been using glyphosate-based herbicides safely and effectively to control weeds for more than 40 years. These products continue to play a critical role in helping farmers manage weeds and sustainably deliver crops to markets around the world.

The litigation over glyphosate primarily stems from one place: an opinion by a group called IARC. IARC is not a regulatory authority and did not conduct any original scientific studies. Yet in 2015, after IARC classified glyphosate as a “probable carcinogen,” trial attorneys in the U.S. began running advertisements to recruit plaintiffs for lawsuits against Monsanto, the manufacturer of many glyphosate-based herbicides (i.e., RoundupTM-branded herbicides). These lawsuits rely heavily on IARC’s classification, which has many significant limitations and flaws and runs counter to an extensive body of science supporting glyphosate’s safe use. Nine years after reaching its opinion, leading pesticide regulators around the world continue to conclude that glyphosate is not carcinogenic and that glyphosate-based herbicides are safe when used as directed.

Bayer has won three consecutive victories at trial, and 13 of the last 19 cases where judgments were entered at trial, validating the Company’s strategy of taking cases to trial based on strong scientific and regulatory evidence. The next scheduled trial is Lindeman in Sacramento County, which is set to begin on April 8, 2024.

Bayer will vigorously defend its products based on the strong body of science that confirms glyphosate and glyphosate-based products are safe when used as directed and that glyphosate does not cause cancer.

The trial schedule continues to remain fluid and subject to change based on multiple factors, including the COVID pandemic, the schedules of courts and parties, and the continued efforts by parties to resolve cases

Recent Filings and Rulings

  1. Kline and Meyer Trials

    On March 5, 2024, a defense verdict was issued in the Kline trial in Philadelphia, and Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed with prejudice the Meyer case in Sonoma County, California. You can read Bayer's statement on the victories here.

  2. Cody Verdict

    On March 1, 2024, a defense verdict was issued in the Cloud trial in Arkansas. You can read Bayer's statement on the verdict here.

  3. Cloud Mistrial

    On March 1, 2024, a mistrial was issued in the Cloud trial in New Castle County, Delaware. You can read Bayer's statement on the mistrial here.

  4. Jones Verdict

    On December 22, 2023, a defense verdict was issued in the Jones trial in San Benito County, CA. You can read Bayer's statement on the verdict here.