Today, the Supreme Court of the United Stated issued a decision protecting chemical giant Monsanto from lawsuits over its failure to warn consumers about the health effects of glyphosate in Roundup.
In April, fifteen farmer and farmworker groups signed onto FarmSTAND’s amicus brief outlining why farmers and farmworkers would not benefit from a high court ruling for Monsanto impunity in the Monsanto v. Durnell case.
FarmSTAND had this comment on the outcome of the case:
“Today’s Supreme Court decision in Monsanto v. Durnell is harmful to farmers and farmworkers. In our amicus brief and in their communities, farmers and farmworkers have made clear that Monsanto does not speak for them when the company says it needs impunity. The Court’s opinion does not validate Monsanto and its allies’ absurd claims that the future of the global food supply was at stake, nor that the outcome of this case alone would determine whether American farmers can continue their livelihoods. Farmers and farmworkers will continue to fight against Monsanto impunity, and for a food system that works for everyone, not just a handful of corporate executives.”
– Nathan Leys, FarmSTAND Staff Attorney
“FarmSTAND was among the first groups to object to a glyphosate settlement with Monsanto that takes rights away from farmers and farmworkers. We will be on the lookout for more. Many in rural communities may get sick as a result of Roundup exposure in the future. It’s harmful to the fight for a better food system if lawyers ignore the voices of farmers and farmworkers in service of deals to release Monsanto from liability.”
– David Muraskin, FarmSTAND Managing Director of Litigation