"California court hears appeal of $289 million verdict against Bayer in first Roundup cancer trial," 2 June 2020

A California appeals court…heard arguments in the first case that went to trial over allegations that Bayer AG’s glyphosate-based weed killer Roundup causes cancer.

…The August 2018 jury verdict in favor of groundskeeper Dewayne Johnson, later reduced by a judge to $78 million, launched massive litigation over the weed killer that has led Bayer’s stock price to tumble more than 30%.

…Bayer has asked the court to overturn the verdict or order a new trial. Bayer’s lawyer, David Axelrad, said regulators around the world have found glyphosate to be non-carcinogenic.

…Johnson’s lawyer, Michael Miller, argued the company has engaged in decades of deceit to mislead the scientific community about glyphosate’s safety. Bayer denies those claims and insists Roundup and glyphosate are safe for human use.

…Bayer is pursuing an out-of-court settlement of the litigation, which analysts estimate could result in a $10 billion agreement.

[Also refers to: Monsanto]