Syngenta Corn Lawsuits Accuse Syngenta Of Shipping AG MIR 162 Corn To China Without Approval Causing Corn Farmers And Others To Lose Billions Of Dollars.
As thousands of Syngenta corn lawsuits are pending in federal and state courts nationwide, the judges presiding over the Syngenta litigation have directed lead attorneys for the plaintiffs and Syngenta to explore a settlement of cases in all courts. Syngenta AG is facing over 6,100 GMO lawsuits filed on behalf of corn farmers, grain shippers, elevator grain operators, and other businesses who allege they suffered financial losses after China rejected U.S. corn shipments of Syngenta’s genetically modified corn.
In an order issued on February 25, U.S. District Judge John W. Lungstrum directed lead attorneys for the plaintiffs and defendants to nominate one person as a special master by March 11 who would manage the settlement negotiations. The judges will then decide on the appointment. In the meantime, cases will move toward trial on a traditional litigation track, the order said. Judge Lungstrum is managing over 800 cases in the federal Syngenta litigation in Kansas City. The order also said there are 2,800 federal cases pending in the Southern District of Illinois. In the state courts, 2,375 cases involving more than 20,000 plaintiffs are pending in the Fourth Judicial District of Hennepin County, Minnesota, and 200 cases are pending in the Illinois First Judicial Circuit Court in Cairo, Illinois. (In Re: Syngenta AG MIR 162 Corn Litigation – MDL No. 2591)
“In addition to proposing that plaintiffs and defendants move toward settlement negotiations, Judge Lungstrum’s order that details the number of cases in each court shows the impact Syngenta’s actions have had on the corn industry,” says the Syngenta attorneys at Wright & Schulte LLC, who are representing hundreds of plaintiffs in Syngenta GMO corn seed lawsuits. To speak with one of the law firm’s experienced attorneys, call 1-800-399-0795 or visit yourlegalhelp.com for more information on filing a Syngenta lawsuit.
The Syngenta GMO corn complaints have common allegations surrounding the company’s decision to bioengineer its corn seed with the MIR162 trait. Syngenta said that genetically modifying its corn, known as Agrisure Viptera and Duracade, would make it resistant to insects and other pests. Syngenta applied to China for approval of the GMO corn in March 2010. The problems started after Syngenta began shipping its bioengineered corn to China, the third leading market for U.S. corn, instead of waiting for approval from China’s government officials, according to the Syngenta lawsuit claims. In November 2013, China began rejecting U.S. corn shipments after its regulatory officials discovered the presence of MIR162 trait in the corn seed products. China approved Syngenta’s request to ship its modified corn in December 2014, but the U.S. corn industry was already collapsing, according to the Syngenta lawsuit claims. The National Grain and Feed Association estimated that China’s rejection of U.S. corn from November 2013 to 2014, caused financial losses ranging from $1 billion to $2.9 million.
Court documents show the Syngenta litigation also involves corn farmers nationwide who did not buy, plant or harvest Syngenta’s MIR162 corn. The non-GMO corn farmers alleged in their lawsuit claims that they were also impacted financially because their products were stored and transported with GMO corn. According to complaints filed in the Fourth Judicial District of Hennepin County, Minnesota, the non-GMO corn farmers maintain that Syngenta knew or should have known that releasing its GMO corn would contaminate all U.S. corn shipments, prevent corn from being sold to major export markets such as China, and cause a drastic drop in corn prices resulting in major financial losses in the corn industry. (In re: Syngenta Litigation, No. 27-cv-15- 3785)
About Wright & Schulte LLC: Wright & Schulte LLC, an experienced personal injury firm, is dedicated to the belief that America’s legal system should work for the people. Every day, the attorneys of Wright & Schulte LLC stand up for the rights of people who have been injured or wronged and fight tirelessly to ensure that even the world’s most powerful corporations take responsibility for their actions. If you’re looking for a law firm that will guarantee the aggressive and personal representation you deserve, please do not hesitate to contact Wright & Schulte LLC today. Free Syngenta lawsuit case evaluations are available through yourlegalhelp.com or by calling 1-800-399-0795.
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