U.S. Supreme Court Shields Pesticide Makers from Roundup Cancer Lawsuits

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that federal law preempts state‑level cancer lawsuits against pesticide manufacturers, effectively granting immunity to Bayer and other companies for claims that their Roundup glyphosate product caused cancer. The decision stems from the case Monsanto Co. v. Durnell and follows a legal strategy supported by the Trump administration. Plaintants alleging Roundup‑related cancer will no longer be able to pursue litigation, despite decades of evidence linking glyphosate to carcinogenic risk and Bayer’s settlement of over 100,000 prior claims.

Consumer‑advocacy groups warned that the ruling removes a crucial avenue for redress for thousands of affected Americans and called on Congress to pass the Pesticide Injury Accountability Act to restore the right to sue. The decision underscores ongoing tensions between agricultural industry interests and public‑health protections.