Bayer's Monsanto found responsible for agrarian's sickness

A French court has ruled that Monsanto was liable for the sickness of a farmer who inhaled one of its weedkillers, in another legal setback for the Bayer-owned business over health claims, Reuters writes.

Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in a USD 63 billion deal last year, said it was considering its legal options, including an appeal before France’s highest court.

This is a decade-long legal tussle. Mr Francois had won rulings against Monsanto in 2012 and 2015 before France’s top court overturned the decisions and ordered the new hearing in Lyon (France). The latest verdict, however, did not determine compensation for the farmer, which will now be considered by another court.

The Court of Appeal transferred the case to another court, the group of plaintiffs Phyto-Victims informed. The group represents workers who report health problems resulting from pesticides application.

As previously reported, the US Federal Court in San Francisco decided that Monsanto had to pay USD 80 million (EUR 71 million) in damages to a California man who blamed Roundup weed killer for causing his cancer.