US Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Monsanto in Roundup Case
Court holds that federal pesticide law preempts certain state-law failure-to-warn claims involving EPA-approved product labeling
27 June 2026, Germany: The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled 7-2 in favor of Monsanto in the Durnell Roundup™ case, holding that the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) preempts state-law failure-to-warn claims when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined a pesticide’s labeling complies with federal law.
The Court concluded that requiring a warning label under state law that differs from the EPA-approved label would conflict with federal requirements under FIFRA.
The majority opinion stated:
“Durnell’s state law failure-to-warn claim would require a cancer warning on Roundup’s label—a requirement ‘in addition to’ and ‘different from’ the label required by EPA under FIFRA. FIFRA therefore expressly preempts Durnell’s claim.”
Impact on Roundup Litigation
Monsanto said the ruling is expected to affect pending and future lawsuits based on failure-to-warn allegations, which account for most Roundup-related claims filed in U.S. courts.
In February 2026, Monsanto announced a proposed nationwide class settlement to address current and future Roundup™ claims alleging non-Hodgkin lymphoma through a long-term compensation program. The company said the settlement, together with the Supreme Court ruling, forms part of its strategy to address ongoing litigation. The proposed settlement has received preliminary court approval.
Bayer Responds
Bayer Chief Executive Officer Bill Anderson said the ruling provides regulatory clarity for agricultural innovation and farmers.
“This decision is good for American farmers who help feed the world. It provides the regulatory clarity necessary for innovators like us to develop the agricultural tools that guarantee an affordable food supply,” Anderson said.
He added that the litigation had resulted in substantial legal costs for the company and affected public confidence, expressing the view that the ruling would help resolve the issue.
Implications for Agriculture
Monsanto said glyphosate-based herbicides are widely used in crop production and support practices such as conservation tillage and weed management. According to the company, these products help farmers manage production costs while supporting crop productivity.
The company also said the ruling provides regulatory clarity for manufacturers developing crop protection products under the existing federal regulatory framework.
Scientific and Regulatory Context
The EPA has repeatedly concluded that glyphosate is “not likely to be carcinogenic to humans” when used according to approved label directions. Regulatory authorities in several countries, including agencies in Europe, Asia and Latin America, have reached similar conclusions following their own scientific reviews.
At the same time, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” in 2015. That classification has been cited in Roundup-related litigation in the United States, while other regulatory agencies have maintained different conclusions after reviewing available scientific evidence.
The Supreme Court’s ruling addresses the legal relationship between federal pesticide regulation and state failure-to-warn claims. It does not make a scientific determination regarding glyphosate’s safety.
What’s Ahead
The ruling is expected to influence ongoing and future litigation involving Roundup™ and may serve as a reference in cases involving federally regulated pesticide products and state-law warning requirements.
Also Read: EU Mandates Digital Labels for Plant Protection Products from 2028
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