Facing massive legal settlements over Roundup lawsuits, Bayer AG has intensified its efforts to influence state lawmakers in an attempt to limit its financial exposure. The company, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, has been pouring money into political action committees and lobbying campaigns to pass laws that would shield it from future claims.
Missouri has emerged as a major legal battleground, with thousands of pending lawsuits against Bayer in Cole County alone. Documents from court proceedings show that pro-agriculture groups advocating for liability limits are linked to Bayer-funded efforts. The Modern Ag Alliance, one such group, has spent more than $100,000 since November promoting the claim that glyphosate is safe and essential to American farmers.
In response to the growing number of lawsuits, state Rep. Dane Diehl (R) proposed legislation that would declare the EPA’s Roundup warning label sufficient under Missouri law. The bill narrowly passed in the Missouri House but is now facing resistance in the State Senate, where members of both parties question whether Bayer should be granted such broad legal protections.
Lawmakers opposed to the bill say it is designed to shield Bayer from accountability rather than protect consumers. State Rep. Mazzie Christensen (R) compared it to legal immunity granted to vaccine manufacturers, arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent by prioritizing corporate interests over individual rights.
Outside Missouri, Bayer and other pesticide manufacturers have funneled large amounts of money into state elections. Campaign finance records reveal that employee PACs tied to the chemical industry have significantly increased donations to lawmakers in agricultural and environmental committees.
Bayer has already spent $10 billion of the $16 billion it set aside for settlements. As lawsuits continue, the company’s stock price has dropped sharply, with executives warning of further financial strain if legislative protections are not secured.
