Stephen Cadogan Political agreement has been reached in Germany to end use of glyphosate by December 31, 2023. It represents something of a U-turn compared to Germany’s decisive 2017 vote in favour which made possible the EU’s extension of approval of glyphosate use to December 15, 2022.

Bayer is understood to be proposing to pay as much as $8bn (€7.1bn) to settle more than 18,000 US lawsuits alleging its Roundup herbicide causes cancer.

Just as a jury in California awarded more than $2bn to a couple who claimed Bayer AG’s glyphosate-based Roundup caused their cancer on Monday, Victor Vescovo, a retired American naval officer, gave details of his submarine dive to one of the deepest known places on earth.

But a San Francisco law professor said it is likely a trial judge or appellate court will significantly reduce the punitive damages award.

As Bayer management digs in against a growing shareholder rebellion over the acquisition of Monsanto, attention will shift from the German company’s headquarters back to US courts.

Bayer’s management retains the backing of its supervisory board, its chief executive said, after pressure on the company increased when a second jury in the US ruled its glyphosate-based Roundup weed killer caused cancer.

The admission from Coillte, the State forestry body, that it sprays over a tonne of the weedkiller glyphosate — Roundup — each year on forests and recreational areas must be a cause for concern and immediate action. The questionable chemical is also widely used by farmers.

Global rows over what technology farmers can use may come to a head, as the glyphosate spotlight falls in Brazil.

People are entitled to expect that the things they buy are safe.

Bayer says the number of US lawsuits brought against newly acquired Monsanto has risen to about 8,000 from 5,200 previously after the company was told to pay damages for not warning of alleged cancer risks of glyphosate-based weedkillers.

“Truly humbling,” say some award-winners on receiving their gong. I call bullshit, writes Colm O’Regan.

US stocks finished mostly lower in another choppy day of trading after a midday rally faded.

The European Union has approved a five-year extension of the use of the weedkiller glyphosate in a move that failed to satisfy environmentalists or farmers.

The European Commission has started an in-depth investigation of Bayer’s planned $66bn (€56bn) takeover of US seeds group Monsanto, saying it was worried about competition in various pesticide and seeds markets.

US stocks erased earlier gains on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve released the minutes from its March meeting - hinting it might start trimming its balance sheet later in the year.

The Department of Agriculture had decided to halt use of glyphosate on food crops pending review, in line with Brussels. Why the change of heart, asks Caroline O’Doherty.

German drugs and crop chemicals company Bayer has won over US seeds firm Monsanto with an improved takeover offer of around $66bn (€59bn), ending months of wrangling after increasing its bid for a third time.

Bayer is examining Monsanto’s financial accounts, sources said, a crucial step that could pave the way for the German company to raise its $55bn (€49bn) takeover offer for the US agrochemicals giant.

American biotech company Monsanto Co and Microsoft Corp have announced a partnership to invest in agricultural technology startups in Brazil.

Exit glyphosate has been avoided by the EU, with the European Commission temporarily authorising continuing use of the world’s and the EU’s most widely used herbicide.

The EU animal feed industry has warned there may be severe trade disruption due to delayed EU authorisation of genetically modified (GM) crops.

Bayer offered $62bn (€55.2bn) to buy Monsanto, deepening investor concern that it’s stretching its finances to become the world’s biggest seller of seeds and farm chemicals.

Bayer has made an unsolicited takeover offer for Monsanto in a bold attempt by the German company to snatch the last independent global seeds producer and become the world’s biggest supplier of farm chemicals.

Monsanto has rejected a request by Argentina for more time to collect monies owed by small farmers for royalties on genetically modified soybean seeds.

EU Commission plans to renew the licence for the glyphosate weed killer for another 15 years faced a new challenge last week, with MEPs delaying the process.

Up to 90% of Americans surveyed want to know if their food is genetically modified [through labelling].

The world’s most popular weedkillers should be safe to use, EU scientific advisers have said.

 In this week’s column, Kehlan looks at the industry we should be encouraging our students to get into. People can live without a smartphone, but can’t live without food. 

European shares were little changed at opening yesterday, keeping within their recent range, as investors awaited developments in Greek debt talks.

You know when you're in the midst of an argument, and have that moment when you realise you've backed yourself into a corner?