Bayer affirms aim to ‘significantly’ contain litigation risk by end of 2026

“We affirm our objective to significantly contain the litigation risk by the end of 2026,” CEO Bill Anderson noted said. As part of its multi-pronged strategy, the company continues to press ahead at full speed as it looks to limit its exposure to the litigation industry, he added. As previously reported, Bayer (BAYRY) recognized approximately 1.2B euros in additional provisions for glyphosate and approximately 530 million euros in provisions and liabilities for PCBs in the second quarter. In the glyphosate litigation, an appeals court in Missouri upheld an adverse verdict against the company in the Anderson et al. case in May. As a result, Bayer increased its provisions. The company continues to appeal the verdict. “In addition, we’ve recently taken thousands of cases off the table through confidential settlements on a low cost-per-case average in the glyphosate litigation,” Anderson explained. In the glyphosate litigation, in June the Supreme Court of the United States requested a recommendation from the Solicitor General on whether or not to hear the Durnell case. With this decision, the broader timeline of having such a ruling by summer of next year remains intact. However, Bayer’s strategy to tackle the glyphosate litigation is not solely dependent on a positive decision by the Supreme Court. The company also remains active outside of the courtroom and is examining additional options to protect itself, with Anderson noting that “everything remains on the table.” In the litigation surrounding PCBs, Bayer has settled the Burke case on confidential terms. In addition, the company is provisioning for potential settlements with plaintiffs from the Sky Valley Education Center and other litigation costs. The company continues to await a ruling from the Washington State Supreme Court on the Erickson case.