Bayer Agrees to $7.25 Billion Settlement Over Roundup Cancer Lawsuits

Agrochemical giant moves to resolve thousands of U.S. claims alleging its weedkiller caused cancer.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Bayer, the German agrochemical company that acquired Monsanto in 2018, has agreed to a proposed $7.25 billion settlement to resolve thousands of U.S. lawsuits alleging 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 state court claims.

Why it matters

The proposed settlement aims to eliminate the legal uncertainty and mounting costs Bayer has faced over the Roundup cancer claims, which have threatened the company's ability to continue selling the product in the U.S. agricultural market. However, the Supreme Court case would not be affected by this settlement.

The details

Under the proposed $7.25 billion settlement, Bayer would resolve thousands of U.S. lawsuits alleging Roundup's key ingredient, glyphosate, can cause non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Bayer disputes this claim but says the legal costs have become a burden. The settlement was filed in the St. Louis Circuit Court, home to Bayer's North America crop science division and where many of the lawsuits originated.

  • The proposed settlement was announced on February 18, 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 German agrochemical company that acquired Monsanto, the maker of Roundup, 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, Bayer (ksgf.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 major move by Bayer to resolve the legal and financial burden of the Roundup cancer lawsuits, though the company still faces an uncertain Supreme Court case that could impact state court claims even if this settlement is approved.