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

Related Stories
OHFB President Bill Patterson shares an update from Washington on the group’s policy priorities and the issues shaping agriculture ahead of the 2026 planting season.
Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Kansas congressman Dan Glickman joined RFD News to share his outlook on agricultural policy, bipartisan cooperation, and the challenges facing farmers today.
The bill has already cleared the House Agriculture Committee and is headed toward a full House vote, but the timeline for final passage remains unclear. But the question is, when exactly? Could it possibly be a nice little gift for Easter?
For producers, success this season will require more than just a clean field; it will require meticulous record-keeping, a proactive written mitigation plan, and a constant eye on both the forecast and the federal docket.
UNL student fellow Alison Walbrecht shares her perspective on building support for agricultural research, extension, and teaching while gaining hands-on insight into federal policymaking.
Jake Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance offers his perspective on current cattle market conditions and shares advice for producers seeking to stay protected in an uncertain market.

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.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Watch China’s demand signals for export direction.
Shaun Haney joined RFD News to discuss the potential impact of the Trump-Xi summit uncertainty, ongoing agricultural trade talks, and why geopolitical developments could carry important implications for farmers and global commodity markets.
Lower production is tightening honey supplies across markets.
Debt pressures could reshape farm policy and credit.
Rising protein demand supports long-term trade in feed and meat.
Diversification is critical as conservation reshapes rural economies.
Herd contraction remains gradual across North America.