Bayer Eyes $7.25B Roundup Settlement for Cancer Claims

Bayer, the German bio-tech company, has put forth a $7.25 billion settlement proposal to conclusively resolve a protracted legal dispute in the United States concerning its Roundup weedkiller and its alleged link to cancer. This move is a significant step in Bayer's efforts to achieve closure on claims that have impacted the company since its acquisition of Monsanto, the original developer of the herbicide.

Bayer has already allocated approximately $10 billion to address previous litigation related to Roundup. The company maintains its stance that the product is safe and asserts that the latest settlement has secured backing from several principal plaintiffs' groups, though it requires judicial approval to proceed.

Bill Anderson, Bayer's chief executive, expressed optimism that a substantial majority of individuals with pending claims will accept the new proposed settlement, which specifically addresses patients diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This agreement is designed to cover both current and future claims related to the development of this type of blood cancer, stemming from exposure to Roundup before February 17, 2026.

The company plans to disburse these payments over a 21-year period, with the majority of the financial commitment anticipated within the first five years. In addition to this proposed settlement, Bayer anticipates allocating another $3 billion to address separate Roundup-related cases, including those concerning 'forever chemicals' with several US states. This proposal comes as Bayer awaits a crucial Supreme Court ruling in a related case concerning warning labels and federal regulatory approval.