ALBANY — In the first of a series of test case trials, a jury in a Kansas City federal court, on June 23, awarded a class of over 7,000 Kansas corn farmers $217.7 million in damages against Syngenta regarding its prematurely released Agrisure Viptera and Agrisure Duracade GMO corn seed.
The jury found that Syngenta damaged Kansas corn farmers when China embargoed U.S. corn in late 2013 after discovering Syngenta’s MIR 162 GMO trait in U.S. corn shipped to China prior to the trait’s approval by China—thereby causing a dramatic drop in U.S. corn prices. The U.S. corn market has yet to fully recover.
The next test case trial, on behalf of a single corn producer, is slated to begin on July 10 in state court in Minneapolis. The third test case trial, on behalf of a certified class of Minnesota corn producers, will begin on August 14, also in Minneapolis. The purpose of the test cases is to inform settlement discussions between the parties. A special settlement master has been appointed by the courts presiding over the sprawling multi-state litigation.
Like the Kansas corn producers, New York corn farmers who produced and sold corn since 2013 have been damaged by Syngenta’s actions. Although New York corn producers were previously part of a national class action, it was recently dismissed. And, unlike Kansas, there is no certified New York state-wide class action. Since there is no class action in place protecting the legal rights of New York corn producers, the only way they may participate in the litigation is to hire a lawyer and file an individual case against Syngenta.
MEETINGS CONTINUE
Here in New York, local lawyers working with some of the lead lawyers in the litigation on behalf of New York corn farmers are available to answer questions that New York corn farmers may have. New York corn farmers are encouraged to contact Attorney Conrad F. Cropsey in Albion, New York, for more information.
Here in New York meetings to get relevant information to farmers continue. Attorneys from around the country are participating. The meeting schedule is always being updated and farmers may call Conrad Cropsey with any questions about the matter. The next one is for farmers and family with food and refreshments.
Venue: York Fire Department
2667 York Rd. W York, N.Y. 14592
Date and Time: Tuesday, July 11, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Family invited for the food and refreshments.
New York corn farmers are encouraged to contact Attorney Conrad Cropsey in Albion, New York, for more information and about the most recent updates. If you cannot attend the meeting, the attorneys will come to you if you cannot get out of the field. So call today.
Conrad F. Cropsey, Esq.
Cropsey & Cropsey – Attorneys at Law
109 N. Main, Albion, N.Y. 14411
Ph: 585-589-9400 and 1-800-276-7739
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