Finance
Bayer proposes $7.25 billion plan to settle Roundup cancer cases
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 17, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 17, 2026
Quick Summary
Bayer proposes a $10.25 billion settlement for Roundup lawsuits, aiming to resolve claims that the weedkiller caused cancer. The plan includes long-term payouts and impacts Bayer's financial outlook.
Bayer Unveils $7.25 Billion Settlement Plan for Roundup Cancer Claims
Bayer's Proposed Settlement Overview
(Corrects value of proposed settlement in headline to $7.25 billion; corrects source of information on value of additional settlements were being prepared in paragraph 3)
Details of the Settlement
BERLIN, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Bayer said on Tuesday that its Monsanto unit had filed a proposed U.S. class settlement totalling as much as $7.25 billion that was aimed at resolving current and future claims that its Roundup weedkiller caused Non‑Hodgkin lymphoma.
Impact on Bayer's Financials
The German company said the proposed nationwide settlement, filed in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, Missouri, would establish a long‑term claims programme funded by capped annual payments over up to 21 years.
Future Litigation Plans
Bayer, which has been dogged by the Roundup claims for years after buying Monsanto, said it is separately preparing additional settlements covering existing U.S. Roundup cases. Bloomberg, which first reported the news, said those settlements were worth up to $3 billion.
The proposed settlement will cover the majority of cases pending in both U.S. state and federal courts. The proposal is slated to be filed before a judge in St. Louis, Missouri on Tuesday and will require approval by a judge.
The proposal includes a provision allowing people who can prove that they have been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and were exposed to Roundup before Tuesday to file claims to receive a portion of the settlement for up to 21 years.
Bayer expects its provisions and litigation liabilities to rise from 7.8 billion euros to 11.8 billion euros. It anticipates around 5 billion euros in litigation‑related payouts in 2026 and now expects negative free cash flow for the year.
The company has postponed publication of its 2025 results and 2026 guidance to March 4 to reflect the agreements.
(Reporting by Diana Jones and Kirsti Knolle; Writing by Linda Pasquini and Friederike Heine; Editing by Madeline Chambers and Alexander Smith)
Key Takeaways
- •Bayer proposes a $10.25 billion settlement for Roundup lawsuits.
- •The settlement aims to resolve current and future claims.
- •It includes a long-term claims program funded over 21 years.
- •Bayer's financial liabilities are expected to rise significantly.
- •The proposal requires judicial approval in St. Louis, Missouri.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bayer proposes $7.25 billion plan to settle Roundup cancer cases
1What is Non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's immune system. It can occur in various forms and affects lymphocytes.
2What is a claims program?
A claims program is a structured process established by a company to handle claims made by individuals or entities, often related to compensation for damages or injuries.
