DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A new initiative led by chemical giant Bayer has stirred up a wave of protests at the Iowa Capitol, urging lawmakers to reject legislation that shields companies from lawsuits linking their popular weedkiller Roundup to cancer. The proposed laws, also under consideration in seven other states, seek to absolve pesticide companies from liability if their product labels comply with EPA regulations despite cancer concerns. While similar efforts failed in 2024 in Iowa, Missouri, and Idaho, Bayer and a coalition of agricultural groups are redoubling their efforts this year. A large-scale media campaign touts the importance of glyphosate-based Roundup in American agriculture, with support from a group highlighting fears of Chinese influence over the US food supply in a Super Bowl ad. Critics, including protesters in Des Moines, argue that such laws would restrict accountability for harmful products. Stories of cancer-stricken family members were shared at the rally, emphasizing the need to prioritize people over corporate profits. Nick Schutt, a part-time farmer, stressed the importance of holding multinational companies accountable in Iowa. Bayer refutes claims linking Roundup to cancer, citing the enormous costs of lawsuits as unsustainable. Farmers argue that Roundup, designed to work with genetically modified seeds, is crucial for crop production and soil conservation. The debate over the legislation has expanded across several states, with industry proponents and opponents clashing over the potential impacts on agriculture and public health.
Legislation progress has been made in various states, with bills advancing through initial committees in Iowa, Mississippi, and Missouri, while pending in legislative committees in Florida, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Unfortunately, a bill was unable to move out of a Wyoming committee before a specific deadline.
Bayer officials revealed on Monday that they are actively pursuing legislative efforts in Georgia, Idaho, and the U.S. Congress. The Modern Ag Alliance, a coalition supported by Bayer, has launched a promotional campaign targeting an even wider range of states.
A new player in the advocacy scene this year is the Protecting America Initiative, an organization expressing concerns about China’s impact on the U.S. economy. This initiative, associated with Richard Grenell, President Donald Trump’s envoy for special missions and former acting director of national intelligence, aired a television ad during the Super Bowl in central Missouri urging support for relevant legislation. The group has invested significantly to air the 30-second spot more broadly across Missouri and Iowa. Additionally, a truck with a portable billboard was stationed outside the Iowa Capitol on Monday, advocating for the bill aimed at preventing Chinese-made chemicals from infiltrating American farms.
The debate surrounding cancer and pesticides has been fueled by advertisements supporting legislation that could restrict Bayer’s legal liability, particularly focusing on the importance of its weed-control products in agriculture. One such Facebook ad reads, “Farming’s hard, but it’s a little easier with glyphosate.” This messaging drew backlash from Kim Hagemann, a Des Moines resident, who attended a packed subcommittee meeting to voice her opposition to lawmakers, highlighting the challenges of dealing with cancer alongside agricultural practices.
While some studies link glyphosate, the key ingredient in Roundup, to cancer, the EPA has stated that it is unlikely to be carcinogenic to humans when used correctly. However, numerous lawsuits against Bayer allege that glyphosate does cause a specific type of cancer known as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Notably, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his involvement in these lawsuits, has been nominated by Trump to lead the Health and Human Services department, though this agency oversees the FDA and not the EPA and its labeling regulations.
The proposed legislation supported by Bayer aims to provide a defense against failure-to-warn claims not only for Roundup but for other pesticide products adhering to EPA labeling standards. Richard Deming, a cancer specialist in Des Moines, emphasized that it often takes years to establish a definitive connection between cancer and prolonged exposure to low levels of chemicals. He emphasized the importance of public policy in mitigating risks rather than granting immunity from accountability.
In conclusion, Lieb reported on these developments from Jefferson City, Missouri.
