Supreme Court Hears Bayer Glyphosate Liability Case Amid MAHA Protest

On April 27, 2026 U.S. Supreme Court heard Bayer’s argument that FIFRA bars state “failure-to-warn” lawsuits over its glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup. Represented by Paul Clement, Bayer said without an EPA warning it cannot be liable. Justices were split; decision expected by June.

The Guardian

The WHO deemed glyphosate a probable human carcinogen in 2015; the EPA says it is unlikely to cause cancer. Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, is appealing a Missouri jury award of $1.25 million to John Durnell, diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma after glyphosate exposure. Trump administration filed an amicus brief supporting Bayer and issued an executive order protecting glyphosate production. Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) coalition staged a “People vs. Poison” rally outside the Court, featuring Vani Hari and Rep. Chellie Pingree. Angela Huffman argued “farmers have other options.”

The Straits Times

Tens of thousands of glyphosate lawsuits are pending nationwide; a Missouri jury awarded $1.25 million to John Durnell. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found Americans oppose shielding companies that sell cancer-linked products. Glyphosate remains widely used herbicide in U.S. agriculture.

The Straits Times

Bayer’s counsel warned that a loss would “open the door for crippling liability” and harm farmers. The brief argued that state warnings would “confuse users.” EPA says glyphosate is unlikely carcinogenic, contrary to WHO’s classification. Vani Hari said administration “should know that siding with Bayer over American families is a losing position.” Angela Huffman emphasized that farmers have other options, and Rep. Chellie Pingree warned the stance “creates rifts you can’t sugarcoat.” G.T. Thompson said the farm-bill merely standardizes labeling.

The Straits Times

EPA says glyphosate is unlikely carcinogenic, while WHO calls it a probable carcinogen. The Court’s split shows uncertainty over FIFRA preemption, and the farm-bill’s impact on liability is unclear.

The Guardian

• “You cannot make America healthy again and protect the corporations that are poisoning us,” — Vani Hari, MAHA activist and author

The Straits Times

• “It’s the perspective I’ve held throughout my career at EPA. I think it is the correct one.” — Jim Jones, former EPA assistant administrator

The Guardian

• “The White House's stand is its stand, and we're going to have the Supreme Court fight, we're going to have the farm bill, and I think it continues to cause some rifts over there that you can't really sugarcoat,” — Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-ME

CNBC

The Supreme Court’s decision, due by June 2026, will determine whether FIFRA shields pesticide makers from state “failure-to-warn” suits. The farm bill is expected to pass, potentially embedding a liability shield. Both outcomes could influence the 2026 midterms and glyphosate regulation.

CNBC