A class action has begun involving 800 Australians who allege exposure to one of the world’s most popular weedkillers, Roundup, caused their non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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00:00 In farms, parks and backyards, Australians have used Roundup for five decades.
00:07 But some believe the weed killer also kills people.
00:11 Monsanto did everything it could to avoid confronting the reality that this chemical
00:17 was a carcinogen.
00:18 Eight hundred people with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are part of a class action alleging Roundup's
00:24 active chemical, glyphosate, caused their cancer.
00:28 They've taken parent companies Monsanto and Bayer to court, claiming they acted negligently
00:33 by selling the product.
00:34 They've done everything they can to put profit before people.
00:39 But the company insists Roundup is safe.
00:42 The herbicide has the backing of regulators in Australia, and farming groups also support
00:47 it.
00:48 I've been on the farm now 42 years and I've been using glyphosate all of that period.
00:53 I've always felt it was the most safest and is the most safest product in terms of chemicals
00:57 we use on the farm.
00:58 Medical experts will testify at the federal court trial, which could run for three months.
01:03 Both legal teams insist the science is on their side and have accused each other of
01:08 cherry picking the evidence.
01:10 What it means for food security around the world is enormous.
01:13 Roundup has been the subject of court action in the United States.
01:17 Three years ago, Bayer settled civil claims for $16 billion, but since then the pharmaceutical
01:23 giant has won multiple cases.
01:25 In Australia, the legal battle will remain in the weeds for some time to come.
01:30 This is but the first step in what will be a very long process.
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