• Bayer proposes a $7.25 billion settlement over Roundup cancer lawsuits.
• The settlement aims to resolve claims alleging Roundup causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Bayer has faced significant litigation costs linked to Roundup since acquiring Monsanto.
• The proposal requires court approval and includes payments over 21 years.
• Bayer disputes safety claims surrounding glyphosate but faces mounting legal challenges.

Bayer has announced a proposed settlement of $7.25 billion to resolve thousands of lawsuits alleging that its widely used Roundup weedkiller causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This settlement is designed to provide closure over the claims that have burdened the company since it acquired Monsanto in 2018, with the expectation that the majority of affected individuals will join the agreement. The proposal will be submitted for court approval in St. Louis, Missouri, where many litigations have been concentrated, according to Reuters and LA Times.

The settlement proposal is part of Bayer's effort to address ongoing litigation related to Roundup, which has cost the company approximately $10 billion already in previous settlements. Bayer's CEO Bill Anderson stated that “this doesn't work unless there is closure,” reflecting the company's intention to eliminate the uncertain litigation climate. Additionally, the deal would involve annual payments over a span of 21 years and allow individuals diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma after exposure to Roundup to file claims, according to CBS News and BBC.

Bayer asserts that the safety of Roundup has been substantiated, yet it continues to face litigation and significant financial implications. The company recognizes that the proposed settlement may help mitigate risks associated with pending Supreme Court cases regarding the approval of Roundup by federal regulators. A resolution to the litigation is seen as vital, as unresolved claims could threaten Bayer’s future operations in the U.S. agricultural market, according to Reuters and LA Times.