The Wall Street Journal is reporting Bayer has agreed to draft settlement terms with several law firms representing tens of thousands of people who allege the popular glyphosate-containing weedkiller Roundup causes cancer.
While Bayer remains adamant that three California jury decisions on the matter have not been based on scientific evidence, the company has been engaged in confidential court-ordered mediation to explore the possibility of a settlement to end the ongoing litigation. As of February 6th, the company said approximately 48,600 plaintiffs had filed Roundup-related lawsuits in the U.S.
The WSJ’s source says the settlement appears to be worth around US$10 billion.
Last month, Bayer chairman Werner Baumann said the company was planning to appeal the three jury decisions “through all judicial instances if necessary.”
“Glyphosate has always been safe when used as directed and it still is. This is confirmed again and again by leading regulatory authorities worldwide,” he noted.
Bayer inherited the issue surrounding glyphosate as part of its US$63 billion acquisition of Monsanto, the long-time maker of Roundup, in 2018.
Bayer Canada says that at this time, mediation discussions continue in good faith under a court order requiring confidentiality, and the company cannot comment on speculation about outcomes, timing or progress.
