A jury in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, under Judge Michael Erdos, ruled in favor of Monsanto today in the Womack Roundup™ product liability trial. In response to the verdict, Monsanto issued the following statement:
The jury’s decision in favor of the Company is the 15th favorable outcome in the last 22 trials, including three in the PCCP, and reinforces our approach of taking cases to trial backed by strong scientific and regulatory evidence. This verdict aligns with the overwhelming scientific consensus and the findings of regulatory bodies worldwide that support the safety of glyphosate-based herbicides. While we sympathize with anyone who experiences loss or injury, the science clearly demonstrates that Roundup™ is safe to use and non-carcinogenic.
The Company maintains that the state-based failure-to-warn claims in this and other Roundup cases are preempted by federal law, as affirmed by the Schaffner decision from the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. This ruling has created a split among federal courts, making it a case worthy of U.S. Supreme Court review. We are currently evaluating which cases would be best suited for this review and plan to file a petition for certiorari by 2025. If accepted, the Supreme Court would likely address the case during its 2025-2026 term.
Outside of the courtroom, we will continue to advocate for legislation at both the state and federal levels, in partnership with hundreds of agricultural organizations, to ensure that any pesticide reviewed and registered by the U.S. EPA — and sold with labeling that aligns with the EPA’s assessments — meets health and safety warning requirements. Without clear legislative guidance, the litigation industry will continue to challenge crop protection products deemed safe by the U.S. EPA.
We remain steadfast in our support of Roundup™ products, which are essential tools for farmers to produce affordable food and feed a growing global population.
