"Corporate Influence and Legal Loopholes: The Battle Over Toxic Chemicals"
Bayer, facing billions in settlements and trials over claims that its weedkiller Roundup causes cancer, is lobbying lawmakers in Iowa, Missouri, and Idaho to pass bills providing legal immunity from such lawsuits. The legislation, supplied by Bayer, would shield pesticide companies from failure-to-warn claims if their labels comply with EPA regulations, but critics warn it could have broader consequences and stifle product liability claims. Farmers and lawmakers supporting the bills argue that Roundup is a crucial tool for agriculture, while opponents express concerns about corporate immunity and potential risks to public health.