Monsanto v. Durnell: Federal Preemption, Roundup, and the Future of Pesticide Liability

Monsanto v. Durnell: Federal Preemption, Roundup, and the Future of Pesticide Liability

Author: Environmental Law Institute March 25, 2026 Duration: 1:03:14

Can states hold pesticide companies accountable — or does federal law preempt? In this episode of People, Places, Planet, host Sebastian Duque Rios sits down with Patti Goldman, Senior Attorney at Earthjustice, and Cecilia Diedrich, Staff Attorney at ELI, to unpack one of the most consequential environmental law cases of the Supreme Court's current session: Monsanto v. Darnell.

 

At its core, this case asks whether federal pesticide law — the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) — preempts state-based failure-to-warn claims, potentially shielding pesticide manufacturers like Monsanto from liability for harms caused by products like Roundup (glyphosate). With oral arguments scheduled for April 27, 2026, the stakes couldn't be higher — not just for pesticide litigation, but for the future of toxics accountability across the board.

 

We break down the science behind pesticide risks, the role of tort litigation in driving corporate accountability and regulatory reform, and why the Court's ruling could have far-reaching implications for PFAS litigation, microplastics liability, and chemical safety regulation more broadly. We also explore how recent Supreme Court decisions, including Loper Bright, are reshaping the landscape of federal agency deference and what that means for environmental and public health protections.

 

If you're interested in learning about toxics litigation more broadly, ELI’s Toxics Litigation Project recently published a landscape analysis of toxics litigation and how scientific advancement and uncertainty, state and federal law, and judicial doctrine intersect in the ongoing effort to address the risks and consequences of toxic exposures in the United States and abroad titled, "Current Trends in Toxics Litigation." Additionally, for more information on FIFRA, check out our FIFRA, Explained episode. 

  • Introduction: Pesticides & FIFRA (3:17)
  • Role of Tort Litigation in Accountability (13:44)
  • The Roundup Litigation: Failure to Warn, Glyphosate, and the Road to the Supreme Court (19:07)
  • Monsanto v. Durnell: Preemption and the Circuit Split (25:13)
  • Beyond Roundup: Implications for the Future of Toxics Litigation (40:15)
  • Concluding Thoughts: Science, Oral Arguments, and How to Protect Communities Going Forward (48:55)
★ Support this podcast ★

Produced by the Environmental Law Institute, People Places Planet is a conversation grounded in the practical realities of environmental stewardship. This podcast moves beyond abstract theory to explore how laws, policies, and innovative governance models are actively applied. Each episode features discussions with practitioners, scientists, legal experts, and community leaders who are directly engaged in crafting and implementing solutions. You’ll hear nuanced analysis on the intersection of business, regulation, and education, focusing on tangible outcomes rather than just identifying problems. The dialogue consistently centers on how complex frameworks operate in the real world, affecting specific communities, ecosystems, and industries. Listening provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that drive environmental progress and the challenges that arise at the intersection of human activity and planetary health. It’s an essential resource for anyone curious about the foundational rules and creative strategies shaping our relationship with the environment, offering clarity on the legal and policy threads woven through every environmental issue. Tune in for thoughtful, expert-driven perspectives that connect the dots between policy texts and their impact on the ground.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

People Places Planet
Podcast Episodes
The Clean Air Act, Explained [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:33
Have you seen the images of urban smog from the 1960s? Although there is still progress to be made, U.S. air quality has dramatically improved over the past 50 years. We have the Clean Air Act to thank. Passed in 1970, t…
Law of the Land: Towards a More Sustainable Food System [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:36
From producing food deserts and food swamps to negatively impacting biodiversity and ecosystem health, land use laws have shaped America’s food system for decades. Unfortunately, the shape the food system has taken perpe…
Enchanted and Endangered: Wetlands Restoration in New Mexico [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:35
While often overlooked, wetlands in New Mexico are integral to ecological balance, water filtration, and the local flora and fauna. Maryann McGraw, Wetlands Program Coordinator for the New Mexico Environmental Department…
Science to the People: Engaging Communities in Wetlands Restoration [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:00
What role can communities play in wetlands restoration? Jess Hua, Associate Professor and Principal Investigator of the Hua Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is leading research that looks into ecological intera…
The Enforcement Angle: New Generation of Nuclear - Advanced Reactors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:42
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“NRC” or the “Agency”) licenses and regulates the civilian and commercial use of nuclear power and radioactive materials, including traditional and advanced reactors. Advanced reac…