FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German chemicals giant Bayer (DE:BAYGN) on Wednesday said its supervisory board will form a committee to address glyphosate litigation, retaining a lawyer to give a fresh perspective on how to resolve a multi-billion dollar legal problem.
Bayer said it has hired U.S. lawyer John H. Beisner to advise the Supervisory Board on matters related to the glyphosate litigations, including trial tactics and mediation, on an ongoing basis.
"His appointment is intended to add fresh and independent perspectives to the advice given to the Board of Management," the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
Bayer faces massive legal issues in the United States where more than 13,400 plaintiffs allege the company's Roundup weedkiller, produced by U.S. unit Monsanto (NYSE:MON), caused cancer and that the company failed to warn about that risk. Bayer denies this.
Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in a $63 billion deal last year, says studies and regulators have deemed glyphosate and Roundup safe for human use.
Bayer on Wednesday said a new Supervisory Board committee, comprised of eight supervisory board members, will consult with the Board of Management and make recommendations on litigation strategy.