Story perspectives

Supreme Court Weighs Glyphosate Ban, Bayer Sets $16B Aside

4/30/2026

Summary

Supreme Court Glyphosate

Supreme Court heard arguments in Monsanto Co. v. Durnell, a case that could bar state glyphosate lawsuits.
A Missouri jury awarded John Durnell $1.25 million in 2023 after finding Monsanto failed to warn of cancer risk, which Bayer AG argues is preempted by Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act because EPA required no warning.
Bayer has set aside $16 billion for settlements, with the Court expected to rule by early July 2026.

Summary

Zeldin Rolls Back

EPA administrator Lee Zeldin launched a drive inviting firms for pollution exemptions.
The agency rolled back PFAS drinking-water standards and weakened mercury, arsenic, ethylene-oxide protections.
MAHA activists Vani Hari and Kelly Ryerson (Glyphosate Girl) condemned the rollbacks, while Kennedy finance director David Murphy and scientist Betsy Southerland signed a letter demanding accountability.
Groups, including the Environmental Defense Fund, sued over the rollbacks, with Sarah Vogel calling the lawsuits symbolic gestures.

History

Historical Context

Signed by President Bill Clinton on Aug 3 1996, the Food Quality Protection Act forced the EPA—then led by Carol Browner—to allocate $1.5 billion to reassess over 20,000 chemicals, ultimately reviewing 99% of pesticide tolerances. Decades later, Monsanto’s glyphosate lawsuits and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s PFAS rollbacks echo the Act’s ongoing tension between industry interests and child-health safeguards.

1 of 3

Supreme Court Glyphosate

Supreme Court heard arguments in Monsanto Co. v. Durnell, a case that could bar state glyphosate lawsuits.
A Missouri jury awarded John Durnell $1.25 million in 2023 after finding Monsanto failed to warn of cancer risk, which Bayer AG argues is preempted by Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act because EPA required no warning.
Bayer has set aside $16 billion for settlements, with the Court expected to rule by early July 2026.

1 / 3