I think this means a new and even more toxic herbicide for large Ag application has been developed.
Correct. It's glufosinate ammonium. It's the same damned game as was played with DDT and Freon: ban the product when the patent expires.
Bayer bought Monsanto. The patent on glyphosate had run out. Private label producers had jumped into the market. What to do? Make glyphosate a carcinogen! Guess where the original study fingering glyphosate was done? Germany. And it was the typical study with outrageous dosages.
The reason Bayer bought Monsanto was for the "Roundup Ready" seed technology. They had glufosinate ammonium patented and ready, complete with glufosinate ammonium tolerant seed.
So, once California lawyers latched onto it, the fear of lawsuits terrified every private label producer out of the market, and Monsanto had their monopoly back. Oh but the settlements have been so big that Bayer is bitching.
Best laid plans.