science

Covid delays one Roundup cancer trial while another looms

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The California trial pitting an elderly cancer victim against Monsanto owner Bayer AG has been delayed due to concerns about the spread of Covid-19, with proceedings now expected to resume next week in a virtual format via Zoom. Lawyers for plaintiff Donnetta Stephens say that she was a regular user of Monsanto’s glyphosate-based Roundup herbicide Covid delays one Roundup cancer trial while another looms

Scientist testifies in Roundup trial; judge reverses ruling that had helped Monsanto

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A former U.S. government scientist testifying in the fourth Roundup cancer trial to be held in the United States told a California jury this week that multiple research studies conducted over many years show an “almost certain” connection between Monsanto glyphosate-based herbicides and cancer. Christopher Portier, who is testifying as expert witness on behalf of Scientist testifies in Roundup trial; judge reverses ruling that had helped Monsanto

Bayer heads into next U.S. cancer trial, opening statements set for Thursday

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Despite Bayer AG’s efforts to put an end to costly litigation inherited in its acquisition of Monsanto, opening statements in yet another trial are set for Thursday as a woman suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma claims Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide caused her cancer. A jury of seven men and five women have been seated in the case Bayer heads into next U.S. cancer trial, opening statements set for Thursday

New Roundup cancer trial starting in California

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Lawyers representing a woman suffering from cancer are prepared to face off against Monsanto and its German owner Bayer AG in a California courtroom on Monday in what is set as the fourth trial over allegations Monsanto’s popular Roundup weed killers cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Jury selection in the case of Donnetta Stephens v. Monsanto New Roundup cancer trial starting in California

Bayer gets lift in pre-trial ruling ahead of Roundup cancer trial

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A California judge gave Monsanto and its German owner Bayer AG a pre-trial boost in a ruling issued Monday, a week before the scheduled start of a new courtroom challenge to the safety of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides. Judge Gilbert Ochoa of the Superior Court of San Bernardino County in California agreed with Monsanto that federal Bayer gets lift in pre-trial ruling ahead of Roundup cancer trial

New study examines Roundup herbicide impact on honeybees

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A group of Chinese researchers has found evidence that commercial glyphosate-based herbicide products are harmful to honeybees at or below recommended concentrations. In a paper published in the online journal Scientific Reports , researchers affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing and the Chinese Bureau of Landscape and Forestry, said they found New study examines Roundup herbicide impact on honeybees

Elderly woman to take on Monsanto in next trial over cancer claims

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An elderly California woman who was a regular user of Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer for more than 30 years is set as the next person to try to prove that exposure to the chemical causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a claim already won by plaintiffs in three previous trials. The case of Donnetta Stephens v. Monsanto is Elderly woman to take on Monsanto in next trial over cancer claims

Judge shoots down Bayer’s plan to limit future Roundup legal liability, issues harsh criticism

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(UPDATED May 27 with Bayer statement about new plans) The federal judge overseeing nationwide Roundup litigation on Wednesday denied Bayer’s latest attempt to limit its legal liability from future cancer claims associated with its glyphosate-based herbicides, citing numerous “glaring flaws” in a settlement proposed to apply to Roundup users who have not yet sued the Judge shoots down Bayer’s plan to limit future Roundup legal liability, issues harsh criticism

Another loss for Bayer over Roundup cancer claims as appeals court shoots down preemption argument

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In a blow to Monsanto owner Bayer AG’s bid to block continued liability over Roundup cancer litigation, a federal appeals court shot down the company’s argument that federal regulatory backing of the company’s herbicides preempts claims made by cancer patient Edwin Hardeman. In a ruling issued Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Another loss for Bayer over Roundup cancer claims as appeals court shoots down preemption argument

Trial lawyers accuse Monsanto, Bayer of “pay-to-appeal scheme,” allege “fraud”

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The lawyers who led the nationwide U.S. Roundup litigation through three trial victories and forced Monsanto owner Bayer AG into an $11 billion settlement have notified a federal court that they have uncovered evidence of fraud in a secret deal between Monsanto and a lone plaintiff’s lawyer who has not been active in the litigation Trial lawyers accuse Monsanto, Bayer of “pay-to-appeal scheme,” allege “fraud”

Another Roundup study finds links to potential human health problems

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(Updated February 17, adding criticism of study) A new scientific paper examining the potential health impacts of Roundup herbicides found links between exposure to the weed killing chemical glyphosate and an increase in a type of amino acid known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The researchers made their determinations after exposing pregnant Another Roundup study finds links to potential human health problems

New Roundup cancer trials loom despite Bayer settlement efforts

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Ken Moll is girding for battle. Moll, a Chicago-based personal injury attorney, has dozens of lawsuits pending against the former Monsanto Co., all alleging the company’s Roundup weed killers cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and he is now preparing several of those cases for trial. Moll’s firm is one of a handful that have refused settlement offers New Roundup cancer trials loom despite Bayer settlement efforts

Roundup cancer trials still a threat to Bayer, but settlement talks progressing

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Lawyers for Monsanto owner Bayer AG and for plaintiffs suing Monsanto told a federal judge on Thursday that they were continuing to make progress in settling sweeping nationwide litigation brought by people who claim Monsanto’s Roundup caused them to develop cancer. In a video hearing, Bayer lawyer William Hoffman told U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria Roundup cancer trials still a threat to Bayer, but settlement talks progressing

EPA thumbs nose at court order, says farmers can still use illegal dicamba herbicides

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(UPDATES with comment from BASF) The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday declared it would not immediately honor a court ruling handed down last week that banned certain herbicides made by three of the world’s largest chemical companies. The move by the EPA amounts to a generous gift to BASF, Bayer and Corteva Agrisciences whose dicamba EPA thumbs nose at court order, says farmers can still use illegal dicamba herbicides

Former Monsanto CEO Ordered to Testify at Roundup Cancer Trial

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Former Monsanto Chairman and CEO Hugh Grant will have to testify in person at a St. Louis-area trial set for January in litigation brought by a cancer-stricken woman who claims her disease was caused by exposure to the company’s Roundup herbicide and that Monsanto covered up the risks instead of warning consumers. Grant, who led Former Monsanto CEO Ordered to Testify at Roundup Cancer Trial

Bayer asks appeals court to again cut Roundup damage award owed to California groundskeeper with cancer

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Bayer is asking a California appeals court to trim $4 million from the amount of money it owes a California groundskeeper struggling to survive cancer that a trial court found was caused by the man’s exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides. In a “petition for rehearing” filed Monday with the Court of Appeal for the First Bayer asks appeals court to again cut Roundup damage award owed to California groundskeeper with cancer

Roundup cancer plaintiffs eagerly await settlement news

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Thousands of cancer patients and their families around the United States were notified this week that a comprehensive settlement of their claims against the former Monsanto Co. should be announced before the end of the month. Though specific settlement amounts for specific plaintiffs are still to be determined, groups of plaintiffs have been told to Roundup cancer plaintiffs eagerly await settlement news

As Roundup cancer lawsuits surge, Monsanto fights to keep PR work secret

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As Monsanto continues to battle legal claims over alleged dangers of its widely used Roundup herbicides, the company is trying to block orders to turn over internal records about its work with public relations and strategic consulting contractors. In a series of filings in St. Louis Circuit Court, Monsanto argues that it should not have As Roundup cancer lawsuits surge, Monsanto fights to keep PR work secret

St. Louis Roundup cancer trial reset for Wednesday as California trial called off

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The drama continues in the closely watched battle between lawyers defending the former Monsanto Co. and those representing thousands of cancer victims who claim exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide gave them or a family member non-Hodgkin lymphoma. On Friday, a California trial was officially postponed after more than a week of jury selection activities and St. Louis Roundup cancer trial reset for Wednesday as California trial called off

Bayer inks deals with three Roundup cancer law firms as settlement progresses

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Bayer AG has reached final settlement terms with three major law firms representing thousands of plaintiffs who claim exposure to Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicides caused them to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The new deals have been  made with California-based Baum Hedlund Aristei &  Goldman law firm; the Andrus Wagstaff firm from Colorado; and the Moore Law Group Bayer inks deals with three Roundup cancer law firms as settlement progresses

Bayer’s plan for settling future Roundup cancer claims faces broad opposition

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Dozens of U.S. law firms have formed a coalition to fight a new $2 billion settlement proposal by Monsanto owner Bayer AG that aims to contain the company’s ongoing liability related to claims that Roundup herbicides cause a type of cancer known as non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The settlement is designed to compensate people who have Bayer’s plan for settling future Roundup cancer claims faces broad opposition

Bayer’s bid to settle U.S. Roundup cancer claims making progress

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Monsanto owner Bayer AG is making progress toward a sweeping settlement of thousands of U.S. lawsuits brought by people alleging they or their loved ones developed cancer after exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides. Recent correspondence from plaintiffs’ lawyers to their clients underscored that progress, confirming a large percentage of plaintiffs are opting to participate in Bayer’s bid to settle U.S. Roundup cancer claims making progress

A death and a settlement as Bayer continues trying to end Roundup litigation

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Seven months after Bayer AG announced plans for a sweeping settlement of U.S. Roundup cancer litigation, the German owner of Monsanto Co. continues to work to settle tens of thousands of claims brought by people suffering from cancer they say was caused by Monsanto’s weed killing products. On Wednesday, one more case appeared to find A death and a settlement as Bayer continues trying to end Roundup litigation

Dying man asks California Supreme Court to restore jury award in Monsanto Roundup case

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The school groundskeeper who won the first-ever trial over allegations that Monsanto’s Roundup causes cancer is asking the California Supreme Court to restore $250 million in punitive damages awarded by the jury who heard his case but then slashed by an appeals court to $20.5 million. Notably, the appeal by plaintiff Dewayne “Lee” Johnson has Dying man asks California Supreme Court to restore jury award in Monsanto Roundup case

Bayer’s Monsanto headache persists

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The migraine that is Monsanto doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon for Bayer AG. Efforts at settling the mass of lawsuits brought in the United States by tens of thousands of people who claim Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides gave them cancer continue to inch forward, but are not addressing all outstanding cases, nor are Bayer’s Monsanto headache persists

Settlement in Monsanto Roundup cancer litigation complicated by hold-out attorney

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What will it take to get Mike Miller to settle? That is the pressing question as one of the lead lawyers in the nationwide Roundup cancer litigation has thus far refused to align with fellow litigators in agreeing to settle cases on behalf of thousands of cancer patients who claim their diseases were caused by Settlement in Monsanto Roundup cancer litigation complicated by hold-out attorney

Cancer Taking Toll As New Roundup Trials Near

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For the last five years, Chris Stevick has helped his wife Elaine in her battle against a vicious type of cancer that the couple believes was caused by Elaine’s repeated use of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide around a California property the couple owned. Now the roles are reversed as Elaine must help Chris face his own Cancer Taking Toll As New Roundup Trials Near

Appeals court upholds groundskeeper’s Roundup cancer trial win over Monsanto

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In yet another court loss for Monsanto owner Bayer AG, an appeals court rejected the company’s effort to overturn the trial victory notched by a California school groundskeeper who alleged exposure to Monsanto’s glyphosate herbicides caused him to develop cancer, though the court did say damages should be cut to $20.5 million. The Court of Appeals court upholds groundskeeper’s Roundup cancer trial win over Monsanto

California Supreme Court denies review of Monsanto Roundup trial loss

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The California Supreme Court will not review a California man’s trial win over Monsanto, dealing another blow to Monsanto’s German owner, Bayer AG. The decision to deny a review in the case of Dewayne “Lee” Johnson marks the latest in a string of court losses for Bayer as it tries to complete settlements with close California Supreme Court denies review of Monsanto Roundup trial loss

Bayer’s class action settlement plan draws widespread outrage, opposition

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(Updated March 10 to include judge’s order delaying hearing until May 12) More than 90 law firms and more than 160 lawyers have notified a federal court judge overseeing U.S. Roundup litigation that they oppose Monsanto owner Bayer AG’s $2 billion plan to settle future claims the company expects to be brought by people diagnosed Bayer’s class action settlement plan draws widespread outrage, opposition

White House Has “Monsanto’s Back on Pesticides,” Newly Revealed Document Says

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Internal Monsanto records just filed in court show that a corporate intelligence group hired to “to take the temperature on current regulatory attitudes for glyphosate” reported that the White House could be counted on to defend the company’s Roundup herbicides. In a  report  attached to a July 2018 email to Monsanto global strategy official Todd White House Has “Monsanto’s Back on Pesticides,” Newly Revealed Document Says

St. Louis Judge Denies Monsanto Bid to Delay Another Roundup Cancer Trial

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Monsanto’s bid to postpone another upcoming Roundup cancer trials in St. Louis has failed – at least for the time being – as a judge has ordered that a trial set for October will proceed. After hearing Monsanto’s argument last week seeking a continuance in the case of Walter Winston v. Monsanto, St. Louis Circuit St. Louis Judge Denies Monsanto Bid to Delay Another Roundup Cancer Trial

Dicamba litigation against Bayer, BASF poised to explode, lawyers say

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Thousands of farmers from multiple states are expected to join mass tort litigation pending in federal court over claims that weed-killing products developed by the former Monsanto Co. and other chemical companies are destroying and contaminating crops, including organic production, a group of lawyers and farmers said on Wednesday. The number of farmers seeking legal Dicamba litigation against Bayer, BASF poised to explode, lawyers say

New legal filings over alleged Roundup dangers amid court coronavirus delays

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Even as the spread of the coronavirus closes courthouse doors to the public and lawyers, legal maneuvering continues over claims of danger associated with Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicides. Two nonprofit advocacy groups, the Center for Food Safety (CFS) and the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), filed an amicus brief on behalf of cancer patient Edwin Hardeman New legal filings over alleged Roundup dangers amid court coronavirus delays

Fresh talk of a settlement between Bayer and Roundup cancer patients

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There was renewed talk of a potential settlement this week between Bayer AG and tens of thousands of cancer patients as a key court hearing looms next week. According to a report in Bloomberg, lawyers for Bayer have reached verbal agreements with U.S. lawyers representing at least 50,000 plaintiffs who are suing Monsanto over claims Fresh talk of a settlement between Bayer and Roundup cancer patients

New glyphosate papers point to “urgency” for more research on chemical impact to human health

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Newly published scientific papers illustrate the ubiquitous nature of the weed killing chemical glyphosate and a need to better understand the impact exposure to the popular pesticide may be having on human health, including the health of the gut microbiome. In one of the new papers, researchers from the University of Turku in Finland said New glyphosate papers point to “urgency” for more research on chemical impact to human health

EPA’s assessments of chemicals draws criticism from its own scientists

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Many U.S. scientists working for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) say they don’t trust the agency’s senior leaders to be honest and they fear retaliation if they were to report a violation of the law, according to a survey of employees conducted in 2020. According to the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey for 2020, which was EPA’s assessments of chemicals draws criticism from its own scientists

New research adds evidence that weed killer glyphosate disrupts hormones

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New research is adding worrisome evidence to concerns that the widely used weedkilling chemical glyphosate may have the potential to interfere with human hormones. In a paper published in the journal Chemosphere titled Glyphosate and the key characteristics of an endocrine disruptor: A review, a trio of scientists concluded that glyphosate appears to have eight out New research adds evidence that weed killer glyphosate disrupts hormones

Roundup cancer attorney pleads guilty to extortion attempt

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A Virginia lawyer who helped represent the first Roundup cancer plaintiff to take Monsanto to trial pleaded guilty on Friday to trying to extort $200 million from a chemical compound supplier to Monsanto. Timothy Litzenburg, 38, admitted to a scheme in which he and another lawyer threatened to inflict substantial “financial and reputational harm” on Roundup cancer attorney pleads guilty to extortion attempt

Appeal in first Monsanto Roundup cancer trial to be heard in June

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A California appeals court has set a June hearing for cross appeals resulting from the first-ever trial over  allegations that Monsanto’s herbicides cause cancer. The Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District of California said Thursday that it was setting a hearing for June 2 in the case of Dewayne “Lee” Johnson v. Monsanto. Appeal in first Monsanto Roundup cancer trial to be heard in June

Bayer backs away from plan to contain future Roundup cancer claims

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Monsanto owner Bayer AG is backing away from a plan to contain future Roundup cancer claims after a federal judge made it clear he would not approve the scheme, which would delay new trials and limit jury decision-making. The plan concocted by Bayer and a small group of lawyers was filed last month in U.S. Bayer backs away from plan to contain future Roundup cancer claims

Appeals court hears arguments over Monsanto’s first Roundup trial loss

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A California jury decision blaming a Monsanto herbicide for a school groundskeeper’s cancer was deeply flawed and incompatible with the law, a Monsanto attorney told a panel of appellate judges on Tuesday. The company’s glyphosate-based herbicides – popularly known as Roundup – have the full backing of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and “regulators around Appeals court hears arguments over Monsanto’s first Roundup trial loss

Appeals court focused on damages question ahead of Johnson v. Monsanto hearing

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A California appeals court looks poised to issue a ruling that would uphold the first U.S. trial victory involving allegations that Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer causes cancer. The California Courts of Appeal First Appellate District on Wednesday notified lawyers for plaintiff Dewayne “Lee” Johnson and legal counsel for Monsanto that they should be prepared to Appeals court focused on damages question ahead of Johnson v. Monsanto hearing

Bayer shareholder meeting draws protests, pleas from cancer patients

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The Bayer AG annual shareholders’ meeting got underway Tuesday in Germany, drawing the attention of not only investors and analysts but also activists, lawyers and cancer patients who want to see Bayer make amends for alleged misdeeds by Monsanto, which Bayer bought two years ago. The meeting was to be an in-person event in Bonn, Bayer shareholder meeting draws protests, pleas from cancer patients

Bayer said to be reneging on Roundup settlement deals as virus closes courthouses

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Bayer AG is reneging on negotiated settlements with several U.S. law firms representing thousands of plaintiffs who claim exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides caused them to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma, sources involved in the litigation said on Friday. The reversal comes as U.S. courts are closed to the public because of the spreading coronavirus, eliminating the Bayer said to be reneging on Roundup settlement deals as virus closes courthouses

Shareholder files suit against Bayer over “disastrous” Monsanto acquisition

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A California shareholder of Bayer AG on Friday filed a lawsuit against the companies’ top executives claiming they breached their duty of “prudence” and “loyalty” to the company and investors by buying Monsanto Co. in 2018, an acquisition the suit claims has “inflicted billions of dollars of damages” on the company. Plaintiff Rebecca R. Haussmann, Shareholder files suit against Bayer over “disastrous” Monsanto acquisition

As settlement talks drag on, another Monsanto Roundup trial nears

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Continuing to lack a resolution in the massive nationwide Roundup cancer litigation, a leading U.S. plaintiffs’ law firm is pressing ahead with preparations for a California trial involving a critically ill cancer patient and his wife who are suing the former Monsanto company claiming the man’s disease is due to years of his use of As settlement talks drag on, another Monsanto Roundup trial nears

St. Louis Roundup cancer trial “will not resume;” settlement news expected

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A Roundup cancer trial in St. Louis, Missouri, will not open on Wednesday as expected, a court spokesman said Monday, fueling fresh speculation that a global settlement of tens of thousands of lawsuits brought by cancer victims against the former Monsanto Co. may be near. St. Louis City Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Hogan issued the St. Louis Roundup cancer trial “will not resume;” settlement news expected

St. Louis Roundup trial postponed as large settlement appears near

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Update – Statement from Bayer: “The parties have reached an agreement to continue the Wade case in Missouri Circuit Court for St. Louis. The continuance is intended to provide room for the parties to continue the mediation process in good faith under the auspices of Ken Feinberg, and avoid the distractions that can arise from trials.  While Bayer St. Louis Roundup trial postponed as large settlement appears near

Bayer settlement of Roundup cancer claims still up in air

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Jurors selected to hear a St. Louis case pitting cancer victims against Monsanto have been told the trial that was postponed indefinitely last week could resume as early as next Monday, a court spokesman said, an indication that efforts by Monsanto owner Bayer AG to end nationwide litigation over the safety of Roundup herbicides is Bayer settlement of Roundup cancer claims still up in air