U.S. Supreme Court Limits State Laws on Roundup Herbicide Labeling

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 7‑2 decision that bars states from allowing failure‑to‑warn lawsuits against pesticide manufacturers when the EPA has approved a product’s label. The case involved Bayer‑owned Monsanto’s Roundup glyphosate herbicide and does not resolve whether glyphosate causes cancer. Agricultural groups praised the ruling, arguing that conflicting state requirements would create regulatory uncertainty, while consumer and environmental advocates warned it reduces the ability to hold manufacturers accountable.

In response, Representatives Chellie Pingree (D‑ME) and Thomas Massie (R‑KY) introduced the People Over Poison Act (H.R. 9528) to restore the right to sue and require health‑warning labels on pesticides. A coalition of environmental, health, farm and farm‑worker organizations is mobilizing to support the legislation, which seeks to reverse the Supreme Court’s ruling and re‑enable state‑level failure‑to‑warn actions.