A Canadian federal judge has dismissed a case filed by environmental group Safe Food Matters Inc. regarding Roundup, Bayer’s popular, glyphosate-based weed killer.

Canadian Roundup Case Dismissed

Safe Food Matters, a Canadian non-profit organization focused on protecting the environment and fostering public understanding regarding the safety of food production, filed an application in federal court opposing the re-registration of glyphosate. According to the organization, glyphosate may be to blame for a host of health issues, including inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer, as well as spontaneous abortions and premature births.

However, Safe Food Matters’ case was dismissed by Justice Sandra Simpson. As noted in the press, Judge Simpson wrote in her decision, “Decisions under the Pest Control Products Act are to be based on rigorous science. I am not prepared to find that a scientifically founded doubt can be based on a newspaper article, or because there is an absence of studies on a topic, or because scientists have written articles expressing their opinions.”

According to Mary Lou McDonald, the president of Safe Food Matters, the process of filing the case has been somewhat successful despite the dismissal. In a statement posted on the non-profit’s website, she stated, “Although we are not pleased with the decision, we think the process has been productive. More people are aware that there could be high levels of glyphosate in their legumes and cereals.”

About Glyphosate and Roundup

Glyphosate is the main ingredient in Roundup, a weedkiller used to protect commercial crops. Although glyphosate is the most popular weed killing agent in the world and approximately 300 million pounds of the chemical are applied to crops in the U.S. every year, there is some evidence suggesting that exposure to glyphosate may lead to cancer.

In 2015, the World Health Organization classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Agriculture Canada, among other major health agencies have denied that exposure to Roundup is harmful to humans.

Does Roundup Cause Cancer?

According to one study from researchers at the University of Washington, exposure to Roundup may increase the risk of developing cancer by as much as 41 percent. Years or decades of Roundup exposure may lead to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that develops in the immune system and may be life-threatening.

Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against Bayer and Monsanto regarding the weed killer. Some victims who have gone to court against the agricultural company and claimed that Roundup caused them to develop life-threatening cancers have been awarded multi-million dollar settlements.

If you or a loved one developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after exposure to Roundup, you may be eligible to join or file a Roundup class action lawsuit. Speaking to an experienced attorney may help you to determine whether you have a case.

Victims who pursue litigation may be able to recover compensation for injuries, pain and suffering, and medical expenses. Families of victims who have died due to Roundup exposure may be eligible to receive financial damages for wrongful death.