North Dakota Enacts Law Protecting Pesticide Manufacturers from Lawsuits

North Dakota has become the first state in the U.S. to enact a law shielding pesticide manufacturers from lawsuits over the safety of their products, such as Roundup, provided their warning labels meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. The law, signed by Gov. Kelly Armstrong, comes amid ongoing national debate and significant legal payouts to cancer victims who claim harm from such chemicals. Supporters, including farm groups and agrochemical companies like Bayer, argue the law ensures farmers' continued access to essential weed and pest control tools and sets a precedent for other states considering similar legislation. Critics warn the measure will make it significantly harder for individuals harmed by pesticides to seek legal recourse, especially since large settlements have previously been awarded on grounds of insufficient warning. While the EPA maintains that glyphosate, Roundup's key ingredient, is safe when used as directed, opponents contend that federal labeling standards may not be adequate to protect public health. Similar legislative efforts are emerging in other states, though not all have advanced as far as North Dakota's.