Ruckelshaus v. Monsanto Co.

Amendments to FIFRA in 1972 let the EPA consider one pesticide applicant's data in evaluating another applicant's similar registration in exchange for compensation (with binding arbitration if the parties disagreed), but data designated as trade secrets was protected from that use until 1978 amendments removed those trade-secret protections. Monsanto (plaintiff), a pesticide developer, sued the EPA (through Administrator Ruckelshaus, defendant) in district court, arguing the data-disclosure provisions effected an unconstitutional taking of its property without just compensation; the district court agreed, found the arbitration scheme inadequate compensation, declared the relevant provisions unconstitutional, and enjoined enforcement.