policy

July 8, 2025

With trial approaching, Syngenta settles paraquat lawsuit brought by Parkinson’s patient

By Carey Gillam

Less than a month ahead of what would have been the first US trial over allegations that a popular weedkiller made by agrochemical giant Syngenta causes Parkinson’s disease, the parties have agreed to settle the case. With a looming Aug. 4 Philadelphia trial date, the case of Douglas Nemeth v. Syngenta, which previously was delayed multiple times, was being closely watched as the two sides battled over evidence to be presented and expert witnesses.

June 2, 2025

“On the ropes,” Bayer seeks escape from costly Roundup litigation

Bayer executives have been warning in recent weeks that after losing billions of dollars to Roundup case settlements and jury awards, they may be ready to give up the fight.

May 23, 2025

Can Environmentalism Make Sense Again?

At a time when climate-related headlines often read like obituaries for our planet, Earth Day 2025 offered something rare – a reason for hope. Not the naïve optimism that suggests salvation is assured, but rather compelling evidence that we can make people act for good when we get the messaging right.

May 21, 2025

Pesticide makers continue quest for immunity from lawsuits by sick farmers

LA MOTTE, Iowa — Ray Bickel spent over a decade driving a truck through giant corn and soybean fields in Clinton County, Iowa, applying pesticides. He says it was good work, while it lasted. In 2017, he had a heart attack. The doctors ran tests to find out what caused it and found something else.

May 20, 2025

Q&A – A look at the “turf war” over regenerative agriculture

By Carey Gillam

Consumers looking for healthy foods grown without the use of chemicals have long been able to shop grocery aisle for products carrying an “organic” label, a designation associated with natural processes that focus on soil health, animal well-being, and protections of delicate ecosystems.

May 2, 2025

Why is Bayer seeking legal impunity in US over glyphosate?

German agrochemical company Bayer — last week holding its annual shareholders meeting (AGM) – should not be seeking legal impunity. Nor should any other corporation. In an open letter to Bayer’s shareholders, over 100 organizations from the EU, US and around the world warned them that Bayer is doing precisely that.

April 4, 2025

Analysis raises concerns about potential misuse of atrazine weedkiller in US Midwest

By Douglas Main

Corn growers across Midwestern states appear to be flouting regulations aimed at protecting important waterways from contamination with toxic atrazine weedkiller, according to an analysis of satellite imagery and field data that comes as US regulators ponder changes to rules for use of the pesticide.

March 25, 2025

As EPA shutters environmental justice offices, rural Americans at risk

By Julia Tilton / The Daily Yonder

Environmental justice efforts at the 10 US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regional offices have stopped and employees have been placed on administrative leave, per an announcement from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin earlier this month. Former EPA employees involved with environmental justice work across the country say rural communities will suffer as a result.

March 24, 2025

$2 billion Roundup jury verdict drives down Bayer shares as company seeks law change

By Carey Gillam

A Georgia jury verdict ordering Bayer AG to pay over $2 billion to a man suffering from cancer he blamed on his use of Roundup weed killer comes as that state’s governor weighs whether to sign into law a measure that would effectively bar such cases from going to trial in the future.

March 21, 2025

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”