By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : February 18, 2026 4:25 pm
The proposed class action covers current and future claims that the Monsanto weedkiller causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Monsanto announced a proposed U.S. nationwide class settlement designed to resolve current and future Roundup claims alleging Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) injuries through a long-term claims program. Leading plaintiff law firms representing the class filed a motion seeking preliminary approval of the settlement in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, Missouri. The proposed class combined with Supreme Court review in the Durnell case are independently necessary and mutually reinforcing steps in the company’s multipronged strategy designed to significantly contain the Roundup litigation.
“The proposed class settlement agreement, together with the Supreme Court case, provides an essential path out of the litigation uncertainty and enables us to devote our full attention to furthering the innovations that lie at the core of our mission: Health for all, Hunger for none,” said Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer.
“This litigation and the resulting cost underscore the need for guidance from the Supreme Court on clear regulation in American agriculture. The class settlement and Supreme Court case are both necessary to help bring the strongest, most certain and most timely containment to this litigation.”
To fund the class, Monsanto will make declining capped annual payments for up to 21 years totaling up to $7.25 billion, following court approval. The long-term payment stream will provide the company with both greater certainty and control regarding its litigation costs for current claims and potential future claimants.
Separately, Monsanto also has reached agreements to settle certain other Roundup (glyphosate) cases on confidential terms. Additionally, earlier this year Monsanto settled eight remaining PCB verdicts related to the Sky Valley Education Center (SVEC) in the state of Washington on confidential terms. Monsanto also previously resolved PCB environmental cases with the U.S. states of Illinois and West Virginia.
In total, and subject to a final audit, these resolutions including litigation costs will lead to an increase of the provision and liabilities for litigation from 7.8 billion euros (including 6.5 billion euros for glyphosate) as of September 30, 2025, to 11.8 billion euros (including 9.6 billion euros for glyphosate). Based on a first estimate of all litigation related payouts of approximately 5 billion euros in 2026, Bayer expects a negative free cash flow for this year. To reflect the settlement agreements in the financial statements, Bayer is shifting its announcement of 2025 year-end financial results and 2026 guidance to March 4.
The immediate financing of these resolutions, as well as certain bond maturities, are secured by a bank loan facility of $8 billion. Ultimate financing is planned to utilize senior bonds and instruments receiving equity-credit by rating agencies and not an authorized capital increase.