As legal battles over Monsanto’s Roundup continue, Bayer AG is turning to state legislatures to shield itself from further lawsuits. The company, which inherited Roundup’s legal liabilities when it acquired Monsanto, is pouring money into lobbying and campaign contributions in an effort to limit its exposure.
Missouri has become a major legal battleground for Bayer, with thousands of lawsuits pending in Cole County. Recent court filings show that Bayer-backed groups, such as the Modern Ag Alliance, have been funding media campaigns to influence state lawmakers. The group has reportedly spent more than $100,000 on radio ads since November, promoting glyphosate as safe and beneficial to agriculture.
A bill introduced by state Rep. Dane Diehl (R) seeks to prevent further lawsuits against Bayer by affirming that the EPA’s warning label on Roundup is sufficient under Missouri law. While the bill narrowly passed in the Missouri House, it is now facing significant resistance in the State Senate from lawmakers who argue it would grant the company excessive legal protections.
State Rep. Mazzie Christensen (R) has compared the proposal to federal liability protections granted to vaccine manufacturers, warning that such a law would strip consumers of their right to seek damages. She also pointed out that many other nations are moving to ban or restrict glyphosate-based herbicides.
Beyond Missouri, Bayer and other pesticide companies have ramped up their political spending across multiple states. Federal records reveal that industry PACs have dramatically increased their donations to lawmakers overseeing agricultural and environmental legislation.
Bayer has already allocated $16 billion for legal settlements, with $10 billion already paid. The company’s continued financial struggles have led executives to pursue legislative solutions to protect its bottom line.
