Bayer’s state-level power play: Undermining MAHA and shielding glyphosate from accountability

• Bayer AG is actively lobbying state legislatures to pass laws that would grant it immunity from lawsuits related to its herbicide, Roundup, aiming to shield itself from the growing number of legal challenges and the momentum of the MAHA movement.
• Led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the MAHA movement advocates for cleaner food, safer water and healthier communities. It seeks to hold corporations accountable for the health and environmental impacts of their products, particularly focusing on the dangers of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup.
• Glyphosate has been linked to cancer and other health issues in numerous studies. Bayer has faced over 100,000 lawsuits and paid $10 billion in settlements. Despite this, the company is pushing state-level legislation to limit its liability, framing it as a challenge to public health and accountability.
• Bayer’s strategy involves passing laws in key agricultural states that prevent lawsuits against pesticide manufacturers if their products are EPA-approved. The company has significant financial influence in these states, having donated over $530,000 to Iowa politicians alone, which critics argue allows it to advance its agenda with minimal public scrutiny.
• The success of Bayer’s legislative efforts could set a dangerous precedent, allowing corporations to evade accountability for harmful products. Clean food advocates are urging citizens to contact their legislators and oppose these bills, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in agriculture for the health of future generations.

In a bold move that has sparked outrage among clean food advocates and health-conscious citizens, Bayer AG, the German pharmaceutical and agrichemical giant, is quietly working to shield itself from lawsuits tied to its controversial herbicide, Roundup. Through a state-by-state lobbying campaign, Bayer is pushing legislation that would grant it immunity from legal liability, effectively sidelining the growing momentum of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. This effort, critics argue, is not just a corporate power grab but a direct assault on public health and accountability.

MAHA movement and the fight for clean food

The MAHA movement, spearheaded by Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has become a rallying cry for those advocating for cleaner food, safer water and healthier communities. At its core, MAHA seeks to hold corporations accountable for the health and environmental impacts of their products, particularly in agriculture. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, has been at the center of this battle.

Glyphosate, once hailed as a miracle herbicide, has been linked to cancer and other health issues in numerous studies. In 2018, a landmark jury decision found Monsanto (now owned by Bayer) liable for causing cancer in a California groundskeeper, opening the floodgates for over 100,000 lawsuits. Bayer has since paid $10 billion in settlements but is now working to prevent future litigation by pushing state-level legislation that would limit its liability.

This legislative maneuvering is seen as a direct challenge to MAHA’s mission. “I strongly believe we shouldn’t be granting major corporations special exemptions from the law,” said Missouri State Representative Mazzie Christensen (R). “This reminds me of the federal PREP Act, related to COVID-19 vaccines, which granted legal immunity to manufacturers, distributors and administrators, leaving most lawsuits off the table.”

Bayer’s state-level strategy

Bayer’s strategy is clear: Pass laws in key agricultural states that prevent individuals from suing pesticide manufacturers if their products are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In Missouri, a bill sponsored by State Representative Dane Diehl (R) narrowly passed the House of Representatives last month. If adopted, it would mandate that the EPA’s warning label on Roundup is sufficient to comply with state law, effectively ending most pending litigation against Bayer in Missouri.

Similar bills are being pushed in Iowa, Idaho, Oklahoma, North Dakota and Georgia. In Iowa, where cancer rates are the second highest in the nation, the legislation has drawn sharp criticism. “To me, Iowa’s farmers matter more than corporate interests,” said Iowa State Representative Megan Srinivas (D) in a TikTok video. Srinivas, a physician, has been vocal about the potential link between glyphosate and rising cancer rates in her state.

Bayer’s influence in these states is undeniable. Since 2002, Monsanto and Bayer have donated over $530,000 to Iowa politicians alone. Top recipients include Governor Kim Reynolds, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and House Speaker Pat Grassley. Critics argue that this financial influence has allowed Bayer to quietly advance its agenda without significant public scrutiny.

Broader implications

The implications of Bayer’s state-level efforts extend far beyond individual lawsuits. If successful, these laws could set a dangerous precedent, allowing corporations to sidestep accountability for harmful products. This is particularly concerning given the widespread presence of glyphosate in our food, water and even rainwater.

“These companies also attempt to invoke government contractor immunity in their defense,” added Rep. Christensen, highlighting the broader tactics used by corporations to evade responsibility.

The fight against Bayer’s legislation is not just about glyphosate; it’s about the integrity of our food system and the health of future generations. As the MAHA movement gains traction, the pushback against Bayer’s efforts is a testament to the growing demand for transparency and accountability in agriculture.

What you can do

For those who want to take action, the time is now. Legislation is being voted on this week in Idaho, Oklahoma, North Dakota and Georgia. Clean food advocates are urging citizens to call their legislators and voice their opposition to these bills.

As Bayer continues its state-by-state campaign, the question remains: Will corporate interests prevail, or will the voices of health-conscious citizens and the MAHA movement succeed in holding corporations accountable? The answer lies in the hands of lawmakers — and the people who elect them.

In the words of Iowa farmer and activist Rob Faux, “There’s still that culture of, ‘It’s only Roundup.’ But the reality is, it’s not just Roundup. It’s our health, our water and our future.”

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

Instagram.com

CivilEats.com

IowaStartingLine.com