Author Topic: Monsanto the Loser in Roundup Case (Read 644 times)

Neil Obstat · « **on:** August 15, 2018, 01:16:10 AM »

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https://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/item/29782-monsanto-loses-big-in-landmark-case-against-companys-roundup-product-many-more-cases-to-come
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Tuesday, 14 August 2018
Monsanto Loses Big in Landmark Case Against Company's Roundup Product; Many More Cases to Come
Written by Raven Clabough

A San Francisco jury has found agrochemical company Monsanto liable for causing a school groundskeeper's cancer in a case that could turn a powerful tide against the biotech giant — also the world's leading producer of genetically modified seeds — as the recent claim is just one of thousands against the company. Bayer, which purchased Monsanto just two months ago, has already seen its shares plummet after the loss.

According to California school groundskeeper Dewayne Johnson (shown), exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup is what caused his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The product’s key ingredient is glyphosate, which was classified by the UN աօʀʟd ɦɛaʟtɦ օʀɢaռiʐatɨօռ as “probably carcinogenic to humans” three years ago. Bloomberg News reports that Johnson mixed and sprayed hundreds of gallons of Roundup in his job as a groundskeeper. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2014, and by July 2017, after chemotherapy and other treatments, he was given six months to live. Johnson contends that it was his exposure to Roundup, which included accidents that resulted in his being soaked in the product, that caused his cancer.

Johnson's lawyer, Brent Wisner, provided evidence that Monsanto scientists were aware of the cancer risk posed by the product as early as the 1970s but kept it from the public and even went out of their way to "distort the truth." Wisner said in a statement after the verdict, “Despite the Environmental Protection Agency’s failure to require labeling, we are proud that an independent jury followed the evidence and used its voice to send a message to Monsanto that its years of deception regarding Roundup [are] over and that they should put consumer safety first over profits.”

The court ordered Monsanto to pay $250 million in punitive damages and $39 million in compensation and other costs.

The case marks a major victory for Americans who are opposed to pesticides and herbicides. As noted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), Roundup is the most commonly used herbicide in the world, and traces of glyphosate have been found in foods, including children's cereals such as Cheerios and Trix.

Cases against the product are being made all across the world, according to Phys.org. A beekeeping cooperative in northern France, for example, filed a legal complaint against Bayer after discovering traces of glyphosate in batches of honey.

Some countries agree that glyphosates are dangerous. In August, a federal judge in Brazil ruled that new products containing glyphosate could no longer be registered in the country. The Sri Lankan government outright banned imports of glyphosate in 2015 after agricultural groups criticized the government for failing to conduct the necessary scientific research. That ban was lifted in July, though the use of glyphosate remains restricted. BBC News reports that French president Emmanuel Macron has been working to ban glyphosate in the country but has faced resistance from some French lawmakers.

But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continues to insist that the product is safe. However, critics claim that the EPA assessment was determined because of collusion between government officials and Monsanto — claims that seem to be supported by the evidence provided in Johnson's case.

Monsanto's lawyers released a written statement that continues to claim that glyphosate is a safe product: “Today’s decision does not change the fact that more than 800 scientific studies and reviews — and conclusions by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US National Institutes of Health and regulatory authorities around the world — support the fact that glyphosate does not cause cancer, and did not cause Mr Johnson's cancer.” The main assertion seems to be that since glyphosates are the world's most common weedkiller, if it caused cancer, it would be very evident. The jury in the case was empaneled in San Francisco, a state that also recently said that coffee must carry a warning label because it may cause cancer, and the jury did not claim that the pesticide caused Johnson's cancer, rather that it likely substantially contributed to it. The company claims the product is safe if used according to directions.

On Monday, Bayer’s market value plunged by $11.4 billion following the verdict that surprised investors, the Chicago Tribune reports. Bayer’s shares dropped as much as 12 percent. Investors fear that the trial was a test of the evidence against Monsanto for thousands of other claims being made against Roundup.

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Looks like a good time to sell off your Bayer and Monsanto shares. Like right now.
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jvk · « **Reply #1 on:** August 15, 2018, 06:47:03 AM »

I hate Round-up. And Monsanto. And all they stand for. And the big farmers that use it.

We had some substantial drift on our property last year. Our children were outside playing and were exposed. My husband called the state chemist, he did a report, and yes, there was exposure to the children. The applicator was from out of state (we live 10 mins from the state line), and did NOT have an applicators license for our state. The farmers renting the field paid a visit to my husband--who was quite livid--and told him--and I quote--"You can drink it like kool-aid."

The chemical? Round-up.

The punishment? A $250 fine, because it was a first time offense.

The result? We had dead onions, dead pasture, and our son came down sick with gut issues.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Last Tradhican · « **Reply #2 on:** August 15, 2018, 08:26:34 AM »

Never heard of Roundup till 15 years ago when I moved to a property with more land. The lawn maintenance people in this area practically bathe in it. The first time they sprayed it along the fence line, I asked what is that stuff. They told me that it is a weed killer. I did a quick research and told the lawn guy not to spray it in my yard and that he should not use it at all for his own good. His wife and children are vegans. I do not know if he listened but, when he comes to my place I have not seen the spray container.

He told me I needed to use weed and feed. I went online and researched it. The bag said not to let barefoot children or pets walk on it for 6 weeks. I never bought a bag. I do not use any poisons except when there is no other option and it is in a small area I can shield from myself, the children and pets. I used Amdro Fire Ant killer for years just on the mounds, that was about it. We got chickens, I stopped using Amdro. Amdro kills chickens if they eat it, which is very likely.

Bottom line, don't use any poisons.

Pax Vobis · « **Reply #3 on:** August 15, 2018, 10:54:42 AM »

Comment:
Just like the elites love to do with mergers/acquisitions, one company bought another one and the "re-branding" and "rotating shell game" will continue. Monsanto was bought by a bigger company, Bayer, so the "bad, evil Monsanto" products will be sold to the public as "new and improved" products run by the "good, and benevolent Bayer Company". When in fact, nothing will change.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/06/04/monsanto-bayer-name/668418002/

The name Monsanto is no more but not necessarily for reasons that would satisfy the seed and pesticide company's many critics.

Monsanto, often assailed for its impact on the earth and on human health, will shed its moniker after German giant Bayer officially acquires the company on Thursday. While health and agricultural firm Bayer had been considering axing the Monsanto brand for some time, the decision to abandon the name was made official Monday.

"Bayer will remain the company name," Bayer said in a statement. "Monsanto will no longer be a company name. The acquired products will retain their brand names and become part of the Bayer portfolio."

The deal was set in motion in September 2016, when Bayer agreed to pay $66 billion for Monsanto amid a global shakeup fueled by sluggish crop prices.
The agribusiness merger won conditional U.S. antitrust approval in May after the companies agreed to sell off $9 billion in assets to preserve competition.

Viva Cristo Rey · « **Reply #4 on:** August 16, 2018, 04:16:23 PM »

Small farmers are using it too. Also, anyone can buy it at Walmart. That is scary.

Prayerful · « **Reply #5 on:** August 16, 2018, 04:47:29 PM »

I use it occasionally, but it needs to be used carefully and cautiously with some sort of protective gear, say, an overall.

Author Topic: Monsanto the Loser in Roundup Case (Read 644 times)

Neil Obstat

Monsanto the Loser in Roundup Case

jvk

Re: Monsanto the Loser in Roundup Case

Last Tradhican

Re: Monsanto the Loser in Roundup Case

Pax Vobis

Re: Monsanto the Loser in Roundup Case

Viva Cristo Rey

Re: Monsanto the Loser in Roundup Case

Prayerful

Re: Monsanto the Loser in Roundup Case