Georgia's New Law: A Shield for Pesticide Giants?

Georgia has joined North Dakota in passing a law that limits lawsuits against pesticide makers. This law, signed by Governor Brian Kemp, aims to protect companies like Bayer from claims that they did not warn customers about potential health risks. Specifically, it shields them from lawsuits related to Roundup, a popular weed killer. The law covers any pesticide manufacturer that follows federal labeling rules. The law comes at a time when Bayer, the German company that owns Roundup, is facing a wave of legal challenges. These challenges stem from the 2018 acquisition of Monsanto, the original maker of Roundup. Since then, Bayer has been hit with over 181, 000 claims, with more than 67, 000 still outstanding. Many of these lawsuits allege that Roundup's key ingredient, glyphosate, causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Despite some studies linking glyphosate to cancer, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency maintains that it is safe when used as directed. Bayer also insists on the safety of glyphosate. However, the company has stopped using it in its residential Roundup products and has set aside $16 billion to settle ongoing cases. The legal costs are so high that Bayer might stop using glyphosate in its agricultural products. The new Georgia law will take effect in January. It will not affect existing cases, such as a recent Georgia jury decision that awarded nearly $2. 1 billion in damages to a man who claimed Roundup caused his cancer. Bayer is not alone in its fight. It has teamed up with agricultural industry groups to push for similar laws in other states and at the federal level. They argue that glyphosate is crucial for controlling weeds and preventing soil erosion. Without it, they warn, controlling weeds could become more difficult, crop yields could drop, and food prices could rise. The law has been praised by Bayer's crop sciences president, Brian Naber, who sees it as a stand with Georgia's farmers. However, critics argue that it sets a dangerous precedent, potentially allowing companies to avoid responsibility for harmful products. The debate over glyphosate and Roundup is far from over, with legal battles and legislative fights continuing across the country.