Des Moines, Iowa (RI) — A bill sought by a farm chemical company facing tens of thousands of lawsuits in the U.S. that allege Roundup causes cancer did not come up for a vote in the Iowa House in 2025, but House leaders say they’ll talk with fellow Republicans to see if there’s enough support for it to pass in 2026.
There are 67 Republicans in the Iowa House, well over the 51 votes required to pass a bill and House Speaker Pat Grassley says he understands some of his fellow Republicans oppose the bill.
Bayer’s plant in Muscatine makes about 70% of the Roundup sold in North America and the company has suggested that facility could close due to financial burden of lawsuits.
The bill would give liability protection from so-called “failure to warn” lawsuits as long as the label of a pesticide or herbicide follows EPA guidelines. The agency says there’s no risk to human health if Roundup is used according to label instructions.
Grassley and House Majority Leader Bobby Kaufmann are both farmers and Kaufmann says he’d prefer Roundup be made in Iowa rather than China. House Democratic Leader Brian Meyer says the bill is a disservice to Iowans who have been and could be harmed by the use of glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup.
The Iowa Senate has passed the bill and Governor Reynolds has indicated she’d sign it into law.
KIWA Staff Photo
