Bayer Commits $5.6 Billion to Glyphosate Alternatives

July 7, 2019 in Articles

Bayer AG will pump about $5.6 billion dollars of its research and development budget into alternatives to its weedkiller glyphosate over the next decade.

Trying to ease concerns about the controversial compound, the German chemical and drug company said it will seek more public feedback during the coming safety certification process in Europe. Bayer wants to offer members of the green industry new products to combat weeds while standing behind glyphosate-based Roundup, which it acquired via its $63 billion purchase of Monsanto.

 

“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,” a Bayer spokesperson said in a recent statement.

 Bayer is working to rehabilitate its image as it battles a wave of U.S.-centered litigation that has spread to other countries such as Australia. Last month, the German company suffered a third straight trial loss over claims that exposure to Roundup caused cancer, prompting some analysts to raise their estimates for settling the litigation to as much as $10 billion.

Read the full story.