Bayer backs Kansas pesticide lawsuit shield bill aiming to limit cancer claims linked to widely used agricultural chemicals

Kansas lawmakers are considering a bill backed by Bayer that would shield pesticide makers from certain cancer lawsuits, as the agricultural giant faces significant litigation costs, including a potential $7 billion settlement for Roundup claims. This legislative effort is part of a broader strategy by Bayer to mitigate ongoing legal challenges related to its glyphosate-based products.

The proposed Kansas legislation aims to prevent individuals from suing pesticide manufacturers for failing to warn about potential cancer risks associated with their products. This comes as Bayer prepares to resolve thousands of lawsuits concerning its weedkiller Roundup.

Bayer acquired Roundup and its associated litigation when it purchased agrochemical company Monsanto in 2018 for $63 billion. The company is now supporting state and federal legislative initiatives to curb further lawsuits stemming from these claims.

This legislative push includes approximately a dozen bills introduced in various state legislatures, with Bayer's support. The company has experienced mixed success with these efforts so far.

Two such bills have already been passed in North Dakota and Georgia. The outcome for the Kansas bill remains uncertain.

Opponents of the Kansas bill express distrust in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's assessment that glyphosate pesticides, like Bayer's Roundup, are unlikely to cause cancer.

Conversely, proponents of the bill fear that the widely used pesticide could become more expensive or be removed from the market. This, they argue, would negatively impact numerous businesses in Kansas, a heavily agricultural state.

Democratic state senator Silas Miller, a member of the agriculture committee, described the situation as overwhelming.

“I'll wake up and I'll have over 400 emails and half of them are saying yes, half of them are saying no,” said Democratic state senator Silas Miller, who sits on the agriculture committee.

He indicated that he had not yet decided how to vote on the bill when he spoke to Reuters.

Kenny Titus, a Republican senator also on the committee, reported being similarly inundated with communications.

“I'll wake up and I'll have over 400 emails and half of them are saying yes, half of them are saying no,” said Democratic state senator Silas Miller, who sits on the agriculture committee.

Despite the volume of emails, Senator Titus stated his intention to oppose the bill.

In a recent earnings call on March 4, Bayer reported a fourth-quarter net loss of approximately 3.76 billion euros, or $4.4 billion. The company attributed this loss, in part, to the substantial costs associated with ongoing litigation.

Bayer is also involved in a case before the Supreme Court. Arguments are scheduled for April to address whether the company had a legal obligation to inform customers that glyphosate could cause cancer.

In Washington, the House Agriculture Committee recently advanced a draft farm bill that Bayer supports. This bill mandates uniform pesticide labeling nationwide.

If enacted, this legislation would prevent local governments from imposing health warning requirements on pesticide labels that differ from the language approved by the EPA.

Earlier this year, in February, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at promoting increased domestic production of glyphosate-based herbicides, including Roundup.

This executive order has drawn criticism from the so-called MAHA coalition. Many members of this coalition supported President Trump in the 2024 election and now hold positions within his administration, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

MAHA-affiliated pesticide activist Kelly Ryerson voiced her concerns on social media following the announcement of the executive order.

“Just as the large MAHA base begins to consider what to do at midterms, the President issued an Executive Order to expand domestic glyphosate production. The very same carcinogenic pesticide that MAHA cares about most,” wrote MAHA-affiliated pesticide activist Kelly Ryerson on social media after the order was announced.

Senator Titus noted that many of his policy objectives align with the MAHA movement. He observed that the division among conservatives regarding pesticide issues has placed Republican lawmakers in a challenging position.

A Missouri state court judge has preliminarily approved Bayer's proposed $7.25 billion settlement for a nationwide class-action lawsuit. This lawsuit was brought by individuals who claim that Roundup caused them to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The judge has indicated that he will consider objections from affected individuals before making a final decision on granting approval in July.