Roundup is a widely-used herbicide introduced by Monsanto in 1974, with its main ingredient being glyphosate. It was designed to eliminate unwanted vegetation, functioning by inhibiting a critical enzyme pathway in plants. Its usage expanded tremendously with the introduction of “Roundup Ready” crops in the 1990s, genetically modified to resist glyphosate, allowing farmers to control weeds without harming their crops.
Roundup has found extensive use globally, especially in agricultural settings for weed control. It’s used on a variety of crops including corn, cotton, and soybeans. The ease of weed control Roundup provided led to its widespread adoption among farmers seeking to increase crop yields and reduce labour.
Concerns regarding Roundup’s safety emerged when the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” in 2015. Various studies and ongoing lawsuits have since explored the potential link between Roundup exposure and cancer, particularly non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Despite the IARC classification, Monsanto, and later Bayer after acquiring Monsanto in 2016, have maintained that glyphosate is non-carcinogenic. They cite numerous studies supporting the safety of glyphosate, but the debate continues due to conflicting data and differing methodologies in evaluating glyphosate’s safety.
Evidence suggests that Monsanto might have known about, or at least suspected, the potential dangers of Roundup. Internal communications unveiled during legal proceedings reveal that Monsanto’s toxicologists acknowledged they hadn’t conducted necessary testing to claim Roundup was non-carcinogenic. Additionally, there’s evidence of Monsanto’s attempts to influence scientific research and public opinion regarding glyphosate’s safety.
The controversy surrounding Roundup has sparked numerous lawsuits worldwide. In the US alone, tens of thousands of plaintiffs have filed suits against Monsanto/Bayer, alleging that Roundup caused their cancer. Notable cases include substantial monetary awards to individuals who claimed that Roundup exposure significantly contributed to their cancer diagnoses.
In the wake of the legal battles and IARC classification, several governments and retailers have taken actions. For example, California listed glyphosate as a cancer-causing agent, and some retail giants like Costco have stopped carrying Roundup or other glyphosate-based herbicides.
Monsanto has faced accusations of misleading advertising regarding Roundup’s safety and environmental impact. In different regions, legal actions have been taken against Monsanto for making false claims about Roundup being safe, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly, which were found to be contrary to the actual properties of the herbicide.
The legal challenges have had significant financial implications for Bayer. Following its acquisition of Monsanto, Bayer’s stock value plummeted due to investor concerns over the Roundup lawsuits. The company has since reached multi-billion-dollar settlements to resolve existing and future claims related to Roundup.
With the ongoing legal battles and growing public awareness, the scrutiny surrounding Roundup is likely to continue. The Irish Claims Board is committed to providing support and guidance to individuals in Ireland who believe they have been adversely affected by Roundup, ensuring that they have a reliable ally in pursuing their claims.
If you would like an assessment of a claim, you can use the online form available here without obligation or alternatively you can use the automatic claim calculator.
