Bayer faces US court shift as EU pesticide reforms spark health concerns

Bayer's proposed $7.25 billion settlement over glyphosate lawsuits reaches a critical point as the U.S. opt‑out deadline expires on 4 June 2026. Plaintiffs may withdraw, and a federal panel has transferred the case from Missouri to a San Francisco court overseen by Judge Vince Chhabria, adding market uncertainty. Bayer says the venue change is routine, but analysts note the risk to the settlement and the company’s share price, which has slipped nearly 9 % year‑to‑date. The firm’s first‑quarter operating results beat expectations, driven by strong pharmaceutical sales, while a U.S. Supreme Court decision expected by the end of June could determine the fate of up to 80 % of pending glyphosate claims.

In Europe, Germany’s national academy of sciences, the Leopoldina, has criticised the European Commission’s plan to loosen pesticide approvals. The proposal would allow unlimited authorisation periods for substances such as glyphosate and extend the sell‑off window from 1.5 to three years, raising concerns for vulnerable groups including children, pregnant women and chronically ill patients. The academy urges the German government to oppose the changes, warning that current regulations already show deficiencies in protecting human health and the environment.