Missouri lawmakers are quickly moving a bill through the state legislature that critics argue will protect Bayer from further lawsuits over its pesticide, Roundup, which has been accused of causing cancer.
Kelly Dereuck reports for Springfield News-Leader.
In short:
- House Bill 2763, backed by Rep. Dane Diehl, aims to protect pesticides like Roundup from lawsuits related to warning labels, as long as they follow EPA regulations.
- The legislation has stirred controversy, with critics arguing it undermines consumer rights, while proponents claim it's crucial for national food security.
- Bayer, facing numerous lawsuits over Roundup's alleged link to cancer, has significantly ramped up lobbying efforts to advocate for the bill.
Key quote:
“It shouldn't be a surprise that this bill will immunize that company as it continues to sell paraquat in the United States of America. I don't think that should be overlooked.”
— Amy Goodman, president of the Missouri Association of Trial Lawyers
Why this matters:
If passed, the legislation could limit legal recourse for individuals claiming harm from pesticides, potentially impacting consumer protection, public health, and the transparency of product safety. Read more: Move to consolidate US paraquat litigation as cases mount against Syngenta.
