Black Farmers Call for Justice from Agricultural Businesses

A lawsuit filed last week by the National Black Farmers Association seeks to stop agribusiness giant Bayer from selling Roundup, its popular herbicide that has been linked to cancer in recent years.

The lawsuit, filed in St. Louis, alleges that Black farmers are forced by the agricultural system to spray Roundup and therefore are at risk of developing cancer. The lawsuit argues that Monsanto, which was bought by Bayer in 2018, knowingly failed and continues to fail to adequately warn farmers about the dangers of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup.

Bayer spokeswoman Susan Luke pointed out in a statement to the Midwest Center that two of the law firms that are bringing the lawsuit are plaintiffs in the glyphosate suit that have chosen not to settle.

“Racism has no place in our society or at Bayer. This lawsuit is brought by two law firms that are holdouts in the Roundup product liability litigation and people should see this action for what it is – an attempt by plaintiffs’ lawyers to use media and more litigation to further their own financial interests. There is no basis in fact or law for the health claims in this suit, as Roundup has been assessed and approved by independent health regulators worldwide, including the EPA, which have found that Roundup can be used safely as directed,” Luke said.

The lawsuit argues that Black farmers disproportionately have limited access to internet and are less literate than the general population, and often rely on local seed salesmen for education on what seeds to buy and pesticides to spray. Because of the prevalence of Monsanto’s Roundup Ready seeds, they are basically forced to use Roundup, the lawsuit says.