A second jury in the US state of California has found Monsanto’s Roundup was the cause of a man’s cancer.

In the case of Hardeman v Monsanto, it was found that glyphosate, the main active ingredient in Roundup and the most commonly used pesticide in the world, led to Mr Hardeman developing cancer.

The case will now move to its second phase where the question of whether Monsanto will face liability be decided.

Last August, in the first case taken against Monsanto accusing Roundup of causing cancer, another jury in California ordered $289m in damages to be paid to a groundskeeper. The damages were subsequently reduced to $78m.

Disappointed

In a statement, Bayer AG, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, said it was disappointed with the jury’s initial decision. However, it continued on to say it firmly believed that “science confirms that glyphosate-based herbicides do not cause cancer”.

The company said it was confident evidence in the next phase of the trial would show Monsanto’s conduct had been appropriate and that it should not be liable for Mr Hardeman’s cancer.

“We have great sympathy for Mr Hardeman and his family, but an extensive body of science supports the conclusion that Roundup was not the cause of his cancer. Bayer stands behind these products and will vigorously defend them,” Bayer's statement said.