Bayer was once unwavering in their support of glyphosate. But now? They are finally taking a step in the right direction: one that moves away from the dangerous herbicide.
Over the past several years, Miller Firm has proudly led the fight against Roundup. Roundup is the most popular household weedkiller in the nation. It’s also the same weedkiller that’s come under fire for its potential to cause cancer. The culprit? It’s active ingredient: glyphosate.
There are 13,000 lawsuits pending against Bayer over the cancer-causing potential of glyphosate. In response, the company is seemingly changing their game plan. While they once held glyphosate as their biggest asset, they are now looking for other alternatives. Their aim is to remove themselves from the limelight.
Bayer Budgets $5.6 Million to Find a Glyphosate Alternative
There have been three historic rulings against Roundup. In the aftermath, Bayer AG has announced plans to look for an alternative to glyphosate. The company is investing 5 million euro (equivalent to 5.6 million dollars) into the research.
The announcement is huge for all the victims who feel Bayer has failed to accept any liability thus far. In the past, Bayer stood their ground. They maintained that glyphosate is safe for public use.
Even when Miller Firm secured a victory for Alva and Alberta Pilliod, Bayer denied any and all liability. The Pilliods were an elderly couple who developed Non-Hodgkins lymphoma after using Roundup for decades. The jury ruled in their favor. This is verdict the company plans to appeal.
The same was true in the case of Dewayne Johnson. Johnson was a groundskeeper who developed Non-Hodgkins lymphoma after using RoundUp. In this case, the jury awarded Mr. Johnson a historic $289 million. This amount was later reduced after Bayer appealed.
Again and again, Bayer continues to deny any liability. They do so despite victim testimonies. Even with mounting scientific evidence, the company neglects to inform consumers of the known dangers of glyphosate. This negligence is now costing them millions in punitive damages.
Nevertheless, this decision to look for a glyphosate alternative is still a step in the right direction.
The company released a statement about its decision last Friday:
“While glyphosate will continue to play an important role in agriculture and in Bayer’s portfolio, the company is committed to offering more choices for growers.”
By looking for alternatives, some believe Bayer AG is starting to acknowledge that glyphosate has no place in the future of agriculture.
Just last year, Bayer AG acquired Monsanto, the company that patented glyphosate and developed Roundup. Since then, their shares have dropped a whopping 40%. Now they are dealing with three court defeats and 13,000 more hanging over their heads. Analysts estimate settlement costs in the $10 billion ballpark.
Having suffered so much backlash, Bayer is now hoping to rehabilitate their image. This could be one of the reasons they are choosing to look for alternatives to glyphosate.
Too Little Too Late?
We are hopeful that Bayer AG’s research is a sign that they are starting to accept liability. However, we understand that for the victims of Roundup, this research is too little too late.
Experts have been raising red flags about glyphosate for decades now. These are all signs that Monsanto and Bayer AG failed to acknowledge.
In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) released a report. They proclaimed that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Since then, thousands have come forth to tell their stories. They are bravely speaking up against the companies that knew the risks and failed to warn consumers.
At Miller Firm, we are proud to be the voice for those standing up against these multibillion-dollar giants. Bayer AG and Monsanto need to take responsibility for their negligence. They need to acknowledge the risks they posed to their most loyal consumers.
So far, we’ve been able to secure historic victories for our clients. Bayer AG has appealed each of these verdicts, failing to accept responsibility for any wrongdoings.
What’s Next?
The announcement that Bayer is looking into alternatives for glyphosate is a significant step in the right direction. But there’s still work to do.
Miller Firm will continue defending the rights of victims. We demand that Bayer and Monsanto acknowledge the health hazards to which they’ve subjected consumers. We believe the company needs to take full accountability. They need to compensate the victims of cancer.
In the EU, glyphosate is up for re-registration in 2022. Bayer and others will need to start the process later this year to re-register glyphosate. They must do so if they want to continue selling the chemical in the region. In 2017, several governments voted against the registration of glyphosate amiss controversy. Whether it qualifies for re-registration, and for how long, is yet to be seen.
The EU safety certification process is looming in the future. With this, Bayer is seeking more public feedback. They’ve also promised to include the findings of scientists, journalists, and private organizations in their research.
In the meantime, more government agencies and companies continue to shift away from glyphosate. They seek alternative herbicide solutions instead.
In the US, a judge recently appointed mediator Ken Feinberg to lead settlement negotiations. Whether Bayer AG will accept liability and settle is yet to be seen.
Miller Firm will continue defending the rights of our clients and presenting the facts. So far, juries have sided with our clients again and again. These historic rulings have proven that Bayer and Monsanto knew the risks of glyphosate and eluded the public for too long.
We hope that this decision to research alternative herbicides will serve as a baby step. There will be justice when Bayer acknowledges the dangers of glyphosate as a whole and admits wrongdoings. In the meantime, you can speak against Bayer with your case.
Do You Have a Case?
Roundup is the most popular weedkiller in the United States. Have you or a loved one developed cancer after using RoundUp? You may be able to take legal action.
Contact our team today to learn about your rights. We’ll determine whether you should file a case and answer any question you may have.