En Español
Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs, have long been the center of debate. Some will say that they are unhealthy while others say that they are no less healthy than their natural counterparts. Regardless, Syngenta, the Switzerland-based seed giant is facing a lawsuit in regards to GMO corn seeds sold to farmers in 2013.
A St. Louis attorney has secured the right to proceed with a national class-action lawsuit against Syngenta. The lawsuit could eventually represent more than 440,000 U.S. corn growers against the giant corporation.
A federal district judge in Kansas made the ruling on September 26th that the class-action suit could proceed.
The legal dispute came to light in 2014. The lawsuit alleges that the company was irresponsible and premature with the release of new seed varieties that had not been approved in China, one of the largest importers of U.S. corn. Those varieties, known as Agrisure Viptera and Duracade, eventually contaminated U.S. corn exports to China. This led to a trade ban in 2013.
The plaintiffs state that the trade ban and China’s unwillingness to import GMO corn from the U.S. has led to losses of $5 billion to $7 billion for U.S. corn farmers.
Once a foreign market is lost, it is difficult to get it back. China has turned to the Ukraine as its primary supplier of imported corn. China also now imports milo, a sorghum product, as a replacement feed grain.
Even those farmers who did not export were affected. The loss of China as an importer affected the Chicago Board of Trade price for corn. This affected all growers on a per-bushel basis.
A trial in the case is currently scheduled for June 2017.
Syngenta said that it may appeal the district court’s decision.
If you have been affected by loss of revenue due to the Syngenta GMO corn trade ban, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the law offices of John Foy & Associates and let the “Strong Arm” attorneys represent you. We may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today.
