What would be the fourth trial alleging that Roundup causes cancer has been delayed - again.
The trial, originally scheduled to begin Jan. 24 but was delayed amid reports of a possible pending settlement, was to begin today but has been delayed indefinitely and some reports say the case is not expected to resume. Another trial, scheduled to begin Feb. 24 in San Francisco, also is expected to be delayed indefinitely, further fueling the notion that a global settlement could be near, according to the St. Louis Business Journal.
According to that publication and Investors Business Daily, Bayer is dedicating $8 billion to settle current suits filed by those who claim Roundup caused their non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and another $2 billion for future settlements. Bayer attorneys are on the record saying fewer than 50,000 cases have been filed against the company, which acquired Monsanto - the maker of Roundup - in 2018.
Just last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it concluded a regulatory review of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, and reaffirmed its stance that it is not a carcinogen.
The World Health Organization labeled glyphosate as a possible carcinogen in 2015, a claim the EPA refuted a year later after conducting a regulatory review.
