The nation’s highest court examined arguments Tuesday concerning accountability for Monsanto, the company behind Roundup herbicide, and whether federal regulations should override state-level legal action regarding alleged health complications.
During oral arguments, Supreme Court justices seemed split on the question of whether federal oversight should block individual state lawsuits that claim the widely-used garden and agricultural chemical caused health problems for users.
The case centers on the legal principle of federal preemption, which can prevent state courts from hearing cases when federal law already governs an issue. Monsanto argues that federal pesticide regulations should shield the company from state liability claims.
