SYNGENTA™ GMO CORN SEED LAWSUITS
We’re Fighting for Nebraska and Iowa’s Corn and Feed Industry
In 2011, multinational corporation Syngenta began selling its genetically modified Agrisure Viptera® MR162 corn seed to American farmers. The genetically modified organism (GMO) was sold to farmers before it was approved for distribution in China—one of our largest markets for U.S. corn exports.
In November 2013, China banned imports of all corn containing any trace of the Viptera MR162 trait. This sent U.S. corn prices into a spiral, affecting not only farmers who grew Viptera corn, but anyone involved in the growth, production, transportation, or trade of corn in the United States.
If you’ve suffered a financial loss due to China’s ban on Syngenta’s GMO corn products, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Inserra | Kelley | Sewell, Injury Attorneys today. Call us at (402) 391-4000 or fill out the form to the right to get a free, no-obligation consultation.
Contamination of U.S. Corn Shipments by GMO Corn.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) states it is nearly impossible to prevent genetically modified corn traits from spreading through corn fields, shipments, and products, even when farmers don’t purchase, grow, or intentionally use GMO corn. Pollen may drift on the wind or be distributed by insects and animals, and crops and fields may be cross-contaminated during the transportation or storage of grains.
After the Chinese ban on Viptera, the genetically modified product was detected in a majority of U.S. corn shipments—even those from farmers and businesses who didn’t intentionally use Viptera corn. U.S. corn was essentially shut out of the Chinese market and the price of U.S. corn fell dramatically. In 2014, exports of corn to China fell 85% due to the ban on Viptera, and widespread disruptions were experienced in every sector of the corn production, transportation, and trade industries, including:
- Delayed shipments
- Deferred shipments
- Rejected cargoes
- Product inspection and testing delays
- Delays in vessel discharge
- Depressed prices
- Product surplus
Due to the Chinese ban, the NGFA estimates American corn farmers lost $1.1 billion in corn sales in 2013-2014, and the U.S. grain industry as a whole lost between $1 billion – $2.9 billion.
Inserra | Kelley | Sewell, Injury Attorneys Fights Behalf of Nebraska Farmers
Inserra | Kelley | Sewell is participating in the fight against Syngenta by representing farmers who plant, grow, harvest, and sell corn. Our lawsuits allege that Syngenta’s premature release of Viptera caused our clients to suffer economic losses and sustain damage to their farmland including their farming operations.
Lawsuits will also cover another Syngenta product, Agrisure Duracade®. In 2014, Syngenta began marketing its genetically modified Duracade corn to farmers. and it has not been approved or rejected for sale in China, but it contains the same rejected MR162 trait as Viptera corn.
Syngenta may be a large, multinational corporation, but that doesn’t mean they’re above the law. Inserra | Kelley | Sewell have the knowledge and experience to protect our clients’ rights, and we’re prepared to fight hard to get our clients the compensation they deserve for their losses.
Other Syngenta Viptera® Corn Lawsuits
Many grain industry businesses affected by the disastrous spread of Syngenta’s GMO corn are exploring lawsuits against Syngenta. These lawsuits claim the irresponsible marketing and release of the product before its approval by China caused businesses and individuals to suffer significant financial losses.
Parties that may be eligible to file suit against Syngenta include:
- Corn farmers
- Owners of land where corn is farmed
- Grain elevator owners and operators
- Distributors
- Transporters of corn (including trucking companies, truck drivers, railroads, and more)
- Exporters of corn
In a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska, a group of farmers alleged that Syngenta purposefully misinformed farmers about the impact China’s denial of Viptera corn could have on the domestic market. Another lawsuit filed nearby in Sioux City, Iowa, alleges Syngenta made misleading statements about the approval status of Viptera in China. The lawsuit also asserts that the widespread contamination of corn products by Viptera GMO corn has destroyed the market for U.S. corn.
Protecting Corn Farmers From Large Corporations
Farmers choose their vocation for reasons that include family tradition and love of the land. Agribusinesses face many concerns and uncertainties (such as rainfall, to pest control, to unpredictable prices) but dealing with the irresponsible actions of multinational corporations shouldn’t be one of them.
Inserra | Kelley | Sewell believes in holding large corporations accountable when they do something wrong. We won’t back down from corporate legal teams, and we’ll do everything we can to protect your rights. Call us today at (402) 391-4000.
Agrisure Viptera® and Agrisure Duracade® are registered trademarks of Syngenta Participations AG Corporation, and are used here only for the purposes of identifying the products in question. Inserra | Kelley | Sewell, Injury Attorneys is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or associated with Syngenta Participations AG Corporation, The Wall Street Journal, or the National Grain and Feed Association.
What our clients say:
We work hard for our clients by listening to their needs, focusing on their health, and then fighting aggressively for the help they need. Below are testimonials from some of these great clients. Contact us to see how we can help you.