News

Court allows class action lawsuit against Syngenta

A federal court has approved nationwide class action suits against Syngenta for U.S. farmers in eight states who priced corn for sale after November 18th, 2013. Farmers sued Syngenta in 2014 after grain shipments containing traces of the company’s Agrisure Viptera and Duracade corn were rejected by China, which had not approved the variety for import.  Loss estimates for farmers who did not plant the variety range from $5-Billion to $7-Billion dollars. The trade disruption brought down corn prices.

Farmers who sued in Minnesota – reportedly more than 20-thousand – are excluded from the national class action suit, according to DTN – and will continue to have their lawsuits heard in the fourth judicial district of Minnesota.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys say the class action status will “make it easier and less expensive for farmers to pursue their claims against Syngenta.” Syngenta does not agree with the court’s decision and reportedly is considering an appeal.