KANSAS SYNGENTA VERDICT

Switzerland-based Syngenta was found negligent in selling genetically modified corn seed and Kansas corn growers were awarded damages of $218 million.

Over 7,000 Kansas corn growers were awarded compensatory damages of $217.7 Million when Switzerland-based Syngenta was found negligent in selling genetically modified (GM) corn seed to the Kansas corn farmers, which contained a genetic trait not approved by China at the time. China is a large importer of U.S. corn and thus when the genetic trait, MIR162, was detected in corn shipments from the U.S., shipments were halted. The loss of the Chinese market resulted in corn growers in the U.S. experiencing a significant drop in the price of corn and suffering long-lasting economic damage.

This is the first of eight class action lawsuits brought against Syngenta, where total nationwide damages to U.S. corn growers from being shut out of the Chinese market is estimated to exceed $5 Billion.

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GEC has extensive experience with crop litigation. One such case involved damage analyses associated with hundreds of farming operations resulting from an unexpected drift of a herbicide that was sprayed on BLM land. GEC was retained by the plaintiffs to assess the economic damages to the farmers.