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Bayer Statement Regarding Ruling on Monsanto’s Post-Trial Motions in Hardeman

July 15, 2019 in Media Statements

Whippany, July 15, 2019 – The following is Bayer’s statement regarding the ruling by U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in the District Court for the Northern District of California on Monsanto’s post-trial motions in Hardeman v. Monsanto. The court reduced the punitive damages to $20 million, which reduces the overall verdict from $80.267 million to $25.267 million.

“The Court’s decision to reduce the punitive damage award is a step in the right direction, as constitutional limitations and controlling precedent dictate that excessive damage awards like those in this case be reduced. Still, the liability verdict and damage awards are not supported by the reliable evidence presented at trial, and conflict with both the weight of the extensive science that supports the safety of Roundup, and the conclusions of leading health regulators in the U.S. and around the world that glyphosate is not carcinogenic. Bayer plans to file an appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.”

Read the Court’s ruling denying Monsanto’s motion for judgment and a new trial here.

Read the Court’s ruling reducing damages here.

Bayer today provided an update on its five-point plan to address future Roundup™ litigation risk after its May 27th decision to withdraw from the national class process. The company is now in more control of important aspects of the risk mitigation process and has sketched out two basic scenarios going forward to provide a path to closure of this litigation. The first scenario is based on obtaining a favorable decision by the United States Supreme Court on a cross-cutting issue like federal preemption which would effectively and largely end the U.S. Roundup™ litigation. The second scenario assumes that the Supreme Court either declines to hear the Hardeman case or issues a ruling in favor of plaintiff – in that case the company would activate its own claims administration program.

Read about the five-point plan here.