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Oregon has reached an agreement with the German pharmaceutical and biotech company Bayer on PCB pollution.
According to the state’s attorney general, the $698 million settlement ends a lawsuit involving Monsanto-manufactured products that Bayer currently owns.
The move makes Oregon the latest US state to receive millions of dollars in compensation from the company for alleged pollution caused by chemicals.
This is the largest environmental damage recovery in Oregon history, and Monsanto’s “sizes” larger than any other state settlement due to PCB contamination.
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Monsanto’s research farm is pictured near Carman, Manitoba, Canada. (REUTERS/Zachary Prong/File Photo/Reuters Photos)
Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum described the deal as “vital” to the state’s land, air, water, wildlife and residents.
“When we start digging into what’s in our soil, what’s in our water, it can really bring tears to your eyes. So let’s clean this up so our children and grandchildren don’t shed tears.” added, speaking at a press conference.
Bayer said in a statement that the settlement over “ex-Monsanto PCB products” fully resolves all of Oregon’s claims and exempts the company from any future liability.
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A section of the newly formed beach on the Willamette River in downtown Portland, Ore is shown. Monsanto has agreed to pay Oregon a collective $698 million for its role in polluting the state with PCBs over a 90-year period. ( (AP Photo/Don Ryan, File) / AP Newsroom)
The contract does not contain any liability or misconduct by the company.
“Although Monsanto voluntarily ceased PCB production in 1977 and does not manufacture, use, or dispose of PCBs in Oregon, the residential conditions reflect the unique challenges and testing procedures in this Oregon region,” he said.
The settlement stems from a 2018 lawsuit against Monsanto alleging that the company’s products polluted the state until PCBs were banned in the 1970s.
The case went to court in May.
| Scrolling text | Security | End | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEYRY | BAYER AG | 13.44 | -0.42 | -3.03% |
A jury was chosen and initial hearings were held, but the case was settled as the case continued.
PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, were used in many industrial and commercial applications, including paint, coolants, sealants, and hydraulic fluids.
Bayer acquired Monsanto for over $60 billion in 2018.
The Bayer AG logo is displayed at the headquarters in La Garenne-Colombes, near Paris. (REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo / Reuters Photos)
Bayer has also reached settlements totaling more than $275 million with the attorneys general of Washington state, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Ohio and the District of Columbia to settle similar cases.
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The Oregon Department of Justice said it will work with the Legislature, the governor, and state agencies to decide how the funds will be allocated.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
