Court Rules Individuals Can Sue Pesticide Makers

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling issued last month upholds the right of individuals to sue pesticide manufacturers. A 7-2 ruling on Bates v. Dow Agrosciences permits a lawsuit brought by farmers whose crops were damaged by pesticides. The ruling will also open the door for suits by consumers seeking redress for damages caused by pesticides. Previously, chemical companies have thwarted many lawsuits asserting that rigorous reviews of their products by EPA shielded them from being sued. The Supreme Court said that EPA review does not give pesticide manufacturers immunity.