Bayer Agrees to $7.25B Roundup Settlement

The deal would cover current and future lawsuits claiming the weedkiller caused cancer.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Bayer, the German pharmaceutical and biotech company, has reached a $7.25 billion agreement to settle tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging that its Roundup weedkiller caused non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The deal, which still requires court approval, would cover both current and future claims against the company.

Why it matters

The settlement is a significant step for Bayer in its efforts to control the mounting legal costs from Roundup-related litigation, which has already cost the company over $10 billion. The agreement comes ahead of a key Supreme Court case that could shield Bayer from many of the lawsuits.

The details

The $7.25 billion settlement would create a fund that Bayer would pay into over the next 17 to 21 years. Most of the lawsuits against Bayer have argued that the company violated state labeling laws by not warning users that Roundup could cause cancer, despite the EPA finding the product to be safe. Bayer is hoping the settlement, combined with a potential Supreme Court victory, will provide the "tightest possible form of containment" for the Roundup litigation.

  • Bayer announced the settlement on February 17, 2026.
  • The $10 billion Roundup settlement unraveled in 2020 after a judge objected to how future claims would be handled.

The players

Bayer

A German pharmaceutical and biotech giant that acquired Monsanto, the maker of Roundup, in 2016.

Bill Anderson

The chief executive of Bayer.

Christopher Seeger

One of the plaintiffs' lawyers in the Roundup lawsuits.

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What they’re saying

“Today marks an important milestone for the company.”

— Bill Anderson, Chief Executive, Bayer (nytimes.com)

“If Monsanto prevails, many claims nationwide would be dismissed or curtailed.”

— Christopher Seeger, Plaintiffs' Lawyer (nytimes.com)

What’s next

The $7.25 billion settlement agreement still needs to be approved by a Missouri circuit court judge in St. Louis.

The takeaway

This settlement represents a major step for Bayer in resolving the extensive litigation it has faced over Roundup, but the company's legal battles are not over yet as it awaits a key Supreme Court ruling that could further impact the Roundup lawsuits.