Supreme Court Hears Roundup Warning Liability Fight Monday

The Supreme Court’s ruling could affect pesticide warning claims well beyond Roundup.

SCOTUS-Building_GaryBlakeleyAdobeStock_27844626_1920x1080

Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C.

Photo by Gary Blakeley

NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Monday in a case that could affect pesticide lawsuits across agriculture. Brigit Rollins with the National Agricultural Law Center said the ruling could shape how failure-to-warn claims are handled for Roundup and other crop protection products.

In the case Durnell v. Monsanto, a Missouri man claims Roundup exposure caused his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A jury awarded him $1.25 million, and Missouri courts allowed that verdict to stand.

Bayer, which owns Monsanto, argues the case should be blocked by federal law. The company says FIFRA gives the EPA authority over pesticide labeling and that states cannot impose warning requirements that differ from federal standards.

The plaintiff argues his claim can still move forward. He says federal law already bars misbranding and that his case also points to older marketing materials that described Roundup as safe.

The outcome could extend well beyond a single product. The Court’s decision may influence thousands of pending cases and help define how far federal pesticide law reaches when state courts hear product-warning disputes.

Farm-Level Takeaway: The Supreme Court’s ruling could affect pesticide warning claims well beyond Roundup.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Speicialist

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Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

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