Bayer executives have been warning in recent weeks that after losing billions of dollars to Roundup case settlements and jury awards, they may be ready to give up the fight and get out of the glyphosate business. In the US, there is no broad protection for producers of pesticides, so manufacturers can comply with the federal regulatory labeling requirements and still get sued for failing to warn, Bayer CEO Bill Anderson told investors in a recent conference call.
Anderson said that is one factor among others as the company questions whether or not it should continue production of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and its other branded weedkillers. Glyphosate, introduced by Monsanto in the 1970s, is the world’s most widely used herbicidal chemical. The company has already removed glyphosate from consumer herbicide products sold in the US. Now, the ongoing litigation threatens Bayer’s ability to continue to supply glyphosate-based products to farmers and other professional users, the company said.
