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Syngenta ruling could set precedence

One of the attorneys representing corn farmers in multiple lawsuits against Syngenta says the jury’s decision is a very important win for farmers. “The jury sent a very clear message.  They want Syngenta to stop this pattern of launching traits prior to key import approval.”

Patrick Stueve tells Brownfield Kansas corn farmers were awarded the full amount of damages that were sought from Syngenta for introducing corn traits on the market before China approved them for import.  Stueve is also a co-lead representing more than 300,000 farmers in a multi-state case. “We have 22 states.  It’s basically all of the Corn Belt states except Minnesota.  Minnesota goes in August and then the judge, starting this winter, will start consolidating these other states for trial.”

In a statement after the verdict, Syngenta says the case is without merit and denies American farmers access to future technologies even when they are fully approved in the U.S.

Syngenta says Agrisure Viptera was commercialized in full compliance with U.S. regulatory and legal requirements, and received approval in the key import markets recommended at the time by the National Corn Growers Association and other industry associations.

Losses to U.S. corn growers from the loss of the Chinese market are estimated at $5 billion.

The Kansas federal court ruling was the first in eight state class-action lawsuits against Syngenta.