Bayer’s latest legal setback in its Roundup saga looks equally toxic to American justice. Shares in the German drugs-to-agrochemicals group fell 7% on [May 11] after the U.S. government asked the Supreme Court not to hear a case relating to claims that the weedkiller causes cancer.
A favourable ruling was one of Chief Executive Werner Baumann’s big hopes. He has already set aside up to $15 billion to settle the claims. Obviously, not getting into the court doesn’t help.
It’s also hurtful to the U.S. legal system. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar’s advice is a reversal from the previous administration, which backed Bayer. That increases the chances of the court setting aside its tendency to heed the government’s views on what should and shouldn’t be heard.
