Corporate accountability just got real as Bayer, the massive agrochemical company, has proposed a groundbreaking $7.25 billion settlement to resolve thousands of U.S. lawsuits alleging its popular weedkiller Roundup causes cancer.

The proposed settlement comes at a critical moment, with the U.S. Supreme Court preparing to hear arguments about whether the Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of Roundup without a cancer warning should invalidate state court claims. By proactively addressing these legal challenges, Bayer aims to mitigate potential long-term financial risks.

Acquired in 2018, Monsanto’s Roundup has been at the center of intense legal scrutiny. While Bayer continues to dispute that glyphosate, the weedkiller’s key ingredient, causes non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, mounting legal expenses have threatened the product’s future in U.S. agricultural markets.

Bayer CEO Bill Anderson acknowledged the prolonged litigation uncertainty, stating that this settlement provides a potential path to closure for the company. The proposed agreement was filed in St. Louis Circuit Court in Missouri, where many lawsuits have originated.

This settlement represents a significant moment in corporate accountability, highlighting the growing pressure on chemical companies to prioritize public health over profit. For affected individuals and environmental advocates, it signals a potential turning point in holding corporations responsible for potentially harmful products.

As the legal proceedings continue, this landmark settlement underscores the importance of rigorous product safety testing and transparent communication about potential health risks.