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Had he been informed of possible health risks around RoundUp or RangerPro, Monsanto's herbicides containing glyphosate, Dewayne Johnson, with terminal cancer, would have "never" used them, he says in US court on Monday.
Summoned to testify for several hours in this lawsuit he brings to the agrochemical giant, this 46-year-old American explained in court in San Francisco how he sprayed during two years of RoundUp but especially the RangerPro, its professional version, more powerful and to be diluted in water before spreading.
A strong and determined voice, even giving away some humor, this father of two spoke at length about his cancer, an incurable non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosed in 2014 that he attributed to glyphosate, a highly controversial subject of contradictory studies on its dangerousness – in particular its possibly carcinogenic nature
– "Never" –
For Monsanto, there is no danger and therefore no reason to warn of a risk any. According to Mr. Johnson's defense, on the contrary, the firm knowingly concealed the possible risks badociated with its products and prevented any reliable scientific study.
"If you had read a warning (on the label) regarding risks of cancer, would you have used "RangerPro ?," asked him one of his lawyers, David Dickens, RangerPro canister in hand.
"I would have never sprayed RangerPro in schools or wherever either, "replied this former head of the fight against the" harmful "(animals or plants) schools in the city of Benicia.
M. Johnson was responsible for diluting RangerPro in water and then spraying the solution (sometimes 150 gallons – 560 liters – per day) to kill weeds with an electric vaporizer, including after "
On two occasions, Mr. Johnson was heavily sprayed with RangerPro and his clothes soaked with this product, following malfunctions of the vaporizers," he continued, indicating researched the internet and decided to call the Monsanto "hotline" twice after the diagnosis, frightened by "the uncontrollable situation on (his) skin" where were multiplying very painful lesions.
"I had been exposed to the RangerPro and I thought that could be the cause, "said Dewayne Johnson, saying that despite two calls and promises to this, no one at Monsanto has ever recalled.
Even if Monsanto n had spoken of possible risks he would have stopped using it, he insisted.
Asked by his lawyer about the physical and moral suffering of his cancer, Johnson said the trial had taken him out of a form of denial. "I know I will not get better," he said, promising nevertheless to "fight until his last breath".
Prudent at this poignant testimony, Monsanto's defense proceeded to a very short cross-examination, essentially focusing on its usual line of defense
What did the doctors say to Mr. Johnson? Asked Sandra Edwards, one of the firm's consultants.
"They all said the same thing: there was no scientific proof of what causes" this type of cancer, replied Mr. Johnson, adding that he had "perfect skin" before being exposed to glyphosate.
– "My world collapsed" –
Before the diagnosis, "we did not have worry, no stress, life was beautiful, "testified shortly before his wife Araceli, now forced to work 14 hours a day and have two jobs to" help with the bills. "
When she learned the disease, his world "has collapsed". "I did not want to believe it," she said at the bar, anxious smile and a weak voice, sometimes containing her tears.
The defense of Mr. Johnson hopes to obtain from this civil procedure millions of dollars of damages and interest by Monsanto, which is the subject of thousands of lawsuits in the United States.
Contrary to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), California, where found San Francisco, put glyphosate on the list of carcinogens.
Glyphosate is also clbadified as "probable carcinogen" since 2015 by the World Health Organization (WHO), but not by European agencies, the Efsa (food safety) and Echa (chemicals)
Praised by farmers for its efficiency and low cost, it is particularly controversial in Europe and particularly in France.
The trial should last at least until the month of August ût.
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