Bayer invests EUR 5 bln in glyphosate alternative

Bayer said it would invest EUR 5 billion (USD 5.6 billion) in developing new weedkillers and reducing its environmental impact by 30% by 2030, as it seeks to address the fallout from U.S. class-action litigation over glyphosate, Reuters reports.

“While glyphosate will continue to play an important role in agriculture and in Bayer’s portfolio, the company is committed to offering more choices for growers,” Bayer said in a statement on Friday.

Bayer said these measures seek to address public concerns arising from its acquisition of Monsanto, the maker of RoundUp, a glyphosate-based weedkiller which, according to thousands of U.S. plaintiffs, causes cancer. Bayer contests this.

Previously it was reported that the US Court decided Bayer had to pay USD 2 billion in award in Roundup cancer trial.

NOTE: the German chemicals giant faces more than 13,400 U.S. lawsuits over the herbicide’s alleged cancer risk.