Bayer Agrees to $7.25 Billion Roundup Cancer Lawsuit Settlement

The proposed settlement aims to resolve thousands of U.S. lawsuits alleging Roundup causes cancer.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Agrochemical company Bayer has agreed to a proposed $7.25 billion settlement to resolve thousands of U.S. lawsuits alleging that its popular weedkiller Roundup caused cancer. The settlement comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments on Bayer's assertion that the EPA's approval of Roundup without a cancer warning should invalidate the state court claims.

Why it matters

The proposed settlement would eliminate some of the legal risk for Bayer, which acquired Roundup maker Monsanto in 2018. Bayer has disputed claims that the key ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, can cause non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but the company has warned that mounting legal costs are threatening its ability to continue selling the product in the U.S.

The details

Under the proposed settlement, Bayer would pay $7.25 billion to resolve thousands of U.S. lawsuits alleging Roundup caused cancer. The settlement was filed in the St. Louis Circuit Court in Missouri, home to Bayer's North America crop science division and where many of the lawsuits have been brought. The settlement still needs court approval.

  • The proposed settlement was announced on February 17, 2026.
  • The U.S. Supreme Court is preparing to hear arguments on Bayer's assertion that the EPA's approval of Roundup without a cancer warning should invalidate state court claims.

The players

Bayer

A Germany-based agrochemical maker that acquired Roundup maker Monsanto in 2018.

Bill Anderson

The CEO of Bayer.

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What they’re saying

“Litigation uncertainly has plagued the company for years, and this settlement gives the company a road to closure.”

— Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer (wbal.com)

What’s next

The proposed $7.25 billion settlement still needs to be approved by the St. Louis Circuit Court in Missouri.

The takeaway

This settlement represents a significant move by Bayer to resolve the legal uncertainty surrounding its Roundup product and the allegations that it causes cancer. While Bayer continues to dispute the claims, the company has acknowledged the mounting legal costs and risks, leading it to pursue this proposed settlement to provide a path forward.