Monsanto Found Liable For Chemical Poisoning Of French Farmer Who Allegedly Suffered Neurological Damage

Monsanto — the multinational company behind a number of genetically modified seeds used in industrial agriculture, as well as the widely used herbicide Roundup — has been found liable in the chemical poisoning of a French farmer who allegedly suffered health issues after inhaling Lasso, an earlier herbicide produced by the company, which is no longer commercially available within the United States.

Not long ago, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment announced that it will be the first state to label glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, as a cancer-causing agent.

The decision, made by a French court of appeals on Thursday, September 10, upholds an initial 2012 judgement, which ruled in favor of the farmer, Paul Francois. According to Reuters, the ruling maintains that Monsanto is responsible for neurological damage suffered by Francois — including memory loss, headaches, and stammering — after he inhaled the herbicide in 2004.

Monsanto has been ordered to "fully compensate" the plaintiff, who alleges that the company failed to provide appropriate warnings on its product.

"We disagree with the court's decision and are planning to appeal it," a representative for Monsanto told The Daily Meal. "Furthermore, there hasn't yet been a court decision on the damages the claimant alleged he suffered. We agree with the court-designated medical experts that none of the health conditions alleged by the claimant may have been caused by the alleged accident.

"Importantly, the decision in this civil case is not final, and we are confident the French courts, including the French Supreme Court, will find Monsanto not responsible. We invite you to stay updated on the case at our European blog."