A US jury has ordered German-based chemicals manufacturer Bayer to pay €1.8bn in damages after finding that its Roundup herbicide had caused the cancers of an elderly couple.

A superior state court in California heard the trial following legal action by Alva and Alberta Pilliod, who testified that they had used the glyphosate-based herbicide for decades before both becoming ill with lymphoma-type cancers.

Arguments centred on insufficient warnings given to users of Roundup about its potential risks.

The product was then made by Monsanto, which has since merged with Bayer.

This is the third jury finding against the manufacturer in cancer cases in California. All are subject to appeal.

Environmental Protection Agency

Bayer said in a statement following the verdict that the latest verdict "conflicts directly with the US Environmental Protection Agency’s interim registration review decision released just last month, the consensus among leading health regulators worldwide that glyphosate-based products can be used safely and that glyphosate is not carcinogenic, and the 40 years of extensive scientific research on which their favorable conclusions are based".

The company added that Mr and Mrs Pilliod had long histories of illnesses known to be substantial risk factors for their cancers.

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