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Syngenta suit being tried in Minneapolis

The trial in the first of multiple lawsuits began Monday in Minneapolis against Syngenta over its U.S. introduction of genetically engineered Viptera and Duracade corn before China approved it for import.  According to a Bloomberg story, the complaints, being heard in Hennepin County District Court, say Syngenta’s release resulted in China rejecting shiploads of corn leading to price drops that hurt growers.  The suit says Syngenta marketed corn with the MIR162 trait despite knowing China had not given its approval.  The trait protects against corn insect pests.

Plaintiff’s lawyers say damage from the Syngenta sales range from about $5 billion to as much as $13 billion, but Syngenta says it was other market forces that drove down corn prices.  Syngenta maintains that the corn market fell because of a bumper crop even before China rejected its first shipment.

An assistant to plaintiff’s lead attorney Lewis Remele told Brownfield Ag News that jury selection was to begin Tuesday.

A second case goes to trial June 5 in Kansas City, Kansas federal court.

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