A federal court jury voted in favor of corn farmers in the first trial of multiple lawsuits against Syngenta over its U.S. introduction of genetically engineered Viptera and Duracade corn before China approved it for import.
The Kansas federal court found Syngenta negligent in the case and awarded more than $217 million in damages to more than 7,000 Kansas corn growers.
Syngenta released a statement after the verdict saying they were disappointed with the ruling and plan to appeal.
Farmers alleged Syngenta’s release resulted in China rejecting shiploads of corn leading to price drops that hurt growers, but Syngenta said it was other market forces that drove down corn prices.
The second trial is to begin July 10 in Minnesota on behalf of 60,000 farmers.
Source: brownfieldagnews.com