Farmers and food exporters nationwide have suffered substantial economic losses in 2014 due to China’s rejection of Syngenta Viptera corn seed, a genetically modified corn crop that has widely contaminated most of the U.S. corn supply.
STATUS OF SYNGENTA CORN SEED LAWSUITS: Individual cases and class action lawsuits are being reviewed by Syngenta Viptera corn seed lawyers on behalf of farmers throughout the United States, as well as others involved in agricultural businesses that have suffered economic losses due the inability to export corn with even trace amounts of the genetically modified trait, which has caused corn prices to fall substantially. In September 2017, Syngenta agreed to pay $1.4 billion to settle lawsuits filed on behalf of U.S. farmers and others in the agricultural industry.
OVERVIEW: Syngenta developed an insect-resistant breed of corn, known as MIR162, or Agrisure Viptera, in 2009. Although the genetically modified organism (GMO) corn seed has been approved in the U.S. and other countries, it has not been approved for exported corn shipped to China.
In November 2013, China rejected any corn exported from the United States that was found to contain even a trace of the Syngenta genetically modified corn traits. Due to co-mingling of corn grown by different farmers and cross-pollination, much of the U.S. corn supply was contaminated by the Syngenta Vitera corn seed. China finally granted approval in December 2014.
China is the third largest importer of U.S. corn and was on pace to become the largest within a few years. As a result of damages caused by Syngenta GMO corn, estimates suggest that U.S. farmers may suffer damages of more than $1 billion.
The first bellwether trial resulted in a $218 million verdict for farmers in Kansas. Syngenta reached a settlement agreement with thousands of farmers and agriculture companies for $1.4 billion in September 2017.
SYNGENTA VIPTERA LAWSUIT: Syngenta aggressively and recklessly marketed Viptera corn seed without ensuring that it would receive worldwide regulatory approval. The company also promoted the planting of the genetically modified corn next to other corn, which has caused widespread cross contamination.
Syngenta Viptera corn class action lawsuits have been filed throughout the United States, seeking damages on behalf of corn farmers, exports and others that have suffered damages due to the dropping price of corn.
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