Australian Court to Decide on Bayer's Roundup and Cancer Risk

An Australian judge will soon determine if Bayer's Roundup weedkiller is linked to non-Hodgkins lymphoma. This follows previous U.S. verdicts that found a connection. The hearing, involving over 1,000 claimants, addresses the product's potential risks but not Bayer's negligence. Bayer maintains Roundup is safe, yet faces numerous global lawsuits.

On Thursday, an Australian judge will rule on the contentious issue of whether Bayer's Roundup weedkiller can cause non-Hodgkins lymphoma. This decision follows a series of U.S. jury verdicts that found in favor of plaintiffs.

Justice Michael Lee of Australia's Federal Court will focus solely on the potential link between Roundup and the blood cancer, rather than addressing Bayer's subsidiaries' negligence or potential damages. Over 1,000 claimants are unified in this class action against Bayer.

The German company insists that its glyphosate-based herbicide is safe, with global usage spanning nearly five decades. Despite positive trial outcomes in the U.S., recent losses have led to over $4 billion in awarded damages. Bayer's legal challenges persist, with over 50,000 U.S. claims remaining unresolved.

(With inputs from agencies.)