According to reports, German-based chemicals giant Bayer is confident of overturning US lawsuits which claim glyphosate-based weed killer Roundup causes cancer.
The defence is based on the fact that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which had labelled glyphosate as a carcinogen in 1985 reversed its position in 1991, and reaffirmed its guidance that glyphosate is not a carcinogen or public health risk when used in accordance with the current label just last month.
Under US law, claims under state law (which all the cases to date, and most of the planned ones are) are barred if they conflict with federal law, a process known as pre-emption.
“We have very strong arguments that the claims here are preempted… and the recent EPA registration decision is an important aspect of that defence,” said William Hoffman, one of Bayer’s lawyers.
The reports come just days after a French investigation was alleged to have discovered a division of Monsanto engaged in keeping details of people such as journalists and lawyers opposed to the company’s activities. Described by some opponents as a ‘black ops’ division engaged in bribery and blackmail, the accusations are the latest in a series of issues that have beset Bayer since they took over Monsanto.
In a statement, Bayer declined to comment on the investigation, but added, “We stand for openness and a fair treatment of all interest groups. We do not accept any unethical behaviour in our company. That applies obviously for the data privacy regulations in the respective countries as well.”
Photo Credit: Bayer