Monsanto announces $7.25 billion Roundup class settlement
Monsanto announced a proposed $7.25 billion Roundup nationwide class settlement aimed at resolving current and future claims alleging Non-Hodgkin lymphoma injuries.
The proposed agreement, filed February 17, 2026, in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, Missouri, seeks preliminary approval to establish a long-term claims program covering individuals who allege exposure to Roundup prior to February 17, 2026, and who have received or may receive a diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma within a 16-year period following final approval.
Monsanto said the class settlement, combined with U.S. Supreme Court review of the Durnell case, forms part of a multi-pronged strategy to contain Roundup litigation. The Supreme Court case centers on whether state law failure-to-warn claims are preempted by federal law. According to the company, a favorable ruling could significantly limit pending appeals and future state-based warning claims. The settlement does not affect the Supreme Court review.
To fund the class program, Monsanto will make declining capped annual payments over up to 21 years, totaling as much as $7.25 billion, subject to court approval. The structure is designed to provide long-term cost predictability for current and potential future claims.
The settlement covers claims relating to Roundup exposure and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma regardless of legal theory. Class members will receive notice and may opt out. Monsanto retains the right to terminate the agreement if opt-outs exceed a specified threshold.
Separately, Monsanto reached confidential agreements to resolve certain additional Roundup glyphosate cases. The company also settled eight remaining polychlorinated biphenyl verdicts related to the Sky Valley Education Center in Washington state, and previously resolved environmental polychlorinated biphenyl cases with Illinois and West Virginia.
Bayer, Monsanto’s parent company, said total litigation provisions and liabilities will increase from 7.8 billion euros as of September 30, 2025, to 11.8 billion euros, including 9.6 billion euros allocated to glyphosate-related matters. Based on an initial estimate of approximately 5 billion euros in litigation-related payouts in 2026, Bayer expects negative free cash flow this year.
To reflect the updated provisions, Bayer will release its 2025 year-end financial results and 2026 guidance on March 4. Immediate financing for the settlements and certain bond maturities is secured through an $8 billion bank loan facility, with longer-term financing expected through senior bonds and equity-credit instruments.
Monsanto stated the settlements do not include any admission of liability or wrongdoing. The company also said it will continue pursuing legislative and regulatory actions aimed at achieving greater regulatory clarity related to glyphosate-based herbicides.