Arkansas Syngenta Corn Lawsuit

Arkansas farmers are participating in a Syngenta corn lawsuit, one of many filed nationwide that allege that Syngenta knew that their genetically modified (GMO) corn seed could contaminate and prevent U.S. corn shipments from being sold to export markets. An Arkansas GMO Corn Lawsuit Attorney can help farmers who suffered loss as a result of Syngenta’ GMO corn.

For more information, contact the Johnson Firm today. We offer free, no obligation consultations, and we can help you determine whether you have a claim. You can contact us by filling out the form on this page, calling us at 501-777-7777, or emailing us at info@johnsonfirm.law.

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The Syngenta Corn Lawsuit: Justice for Arkansas Farmers

Arkansas farmers are joining a nationwide lawsuit against Syngenta, a company renowned for its genetically modified (GMO) corn seed. The farmers allege that Syngenta was fully aware of the possible contamination risks of their GMO corn, which subsequently led to the refusal of U.S. corn exports in international markets.

Background and Impact of the Syngenta Corn Lawsuit

GMO corn is a strain of corn that has been genetically engineered to contain desirable traits like pest and herbicide resistance, highly sought after in the agriculture industry.

In the ongoing Syngenta GMO corn lawsuit, the discovery of unapproved GMO corn (Viptera) in corn shipments destined for China was the tipping point. This resulted in China refusing to accept future corn imports, causing the following significant consequences:

An oversupply of corn due to the presence of unapproved GMO corn in the market, disrupting the corn market
A sharp decrease in corn prices due to China’s rejection of corn shipments
A knock-on effect on farmers and other industry stakeholders due to the reduced corn prices

It’s important to note that while Syngenta had sought approval for the Viptera trait from the Chinese government in 2010, it hadn’t received permission for distribution and consumption in China when the contaminated corn issue arose.

Potential Risks and Side Effects of Syngenta GMO Corn

Several risks and harms are associated with Syngenta GMO corn, including:

Accidental cross-pollination resulting in contamination of non-GMO corn crops
Financial impact on farmers and others in the corn distribution chain due to the rejection or sale of contaminated corn at lower prices
Significant market disruption and oversupply leading to economic challenges for corn growers, exporters, and distributors
Sharp decline in corn prices following China’s refusal to accept corn shipments with unapproved GMO traits

A Glimpse into the Syngenta Corn Lawsuit History

Syngenta’s genetically engineered corn seed, Viptera, was introduced to American commercial farmers in 2011 after the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved it. Subsequent lawsuits allege that despite knowing that Viptera was prohibited in China, Syngenta encouraged growers to plant the GMO corn with the intent to export it to China, America’s third-largest export market.

Two main issues arise in these class action lawsuits against Syngenta:

The significant drop in corn prices due to China’s rejection of U.S. corn shipments containing GMO corn, leading to billions of dollars in damages to the American corn industry.
Contamination concerns due to cross-pollination between GMO corn plants and other corn varieties, which can affect the entire corn supply chain, even with minimal contamination.

Actions of Arkansas Farmers

Farmers in Arkansas, along with exporters, brokers, grain silos, resellers, and others involved in the corn distribution chain, are uniting to seek justice and fair compensation for financial losses resulting from Syngenta’s genetically engineered corn seed. Even those who didn’t use GMO corn but have suffered financial losses due to its sale are taking action. This collective action is reflected in the number of Arkansas Syngenta GMO corn lawsuits currently being filed.

How an Arkansas GMO Corn Lawsuit Attorney Can Help

Syngenta is believed to have engineered Viptera as a corn trait to produce plants that are resistant to the cutworm and a variety of other pests. This type of genetically engineered corn seed, sold in 2011 to American commercial farmers, was planted in nearly 2.8 million acres of cornfields nationwide after it was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Lawsuits claim that Syngenta has had a severe financial impact on the growers who purchased Viptera and also those who did not plant the GMO corn. Reports from the National Grain and Feed Association (NFGA) indicate that growers, exporters and distributors suffered $1.14 billion in damages as a result of GMO corn between the months of November and August of 2013 alone. NFGA estimates the 2014 season might show a loss of $3.4 billion.

A lawsuit filed by Syngenta GMO corn class action attorneys claims that Syngenta knew that Viptera was prohibited in China. Nevertheless, it continuously encouraged growers to plant its GMO corn understanding that it would be exported to China, America’s third largest export market.

Two principal issues covered in the class action lawsuits against Syngenta include:

The dramatic drop in the price of corn. Because of the GMO corn that Syngenta sold, China refused every corn shipment in late 2013 and throughout 2014 from the U.S. The American corn industry reportedly suffered damages in the billions of dollars as a result. Due to the restriction of exports containing contaminated GMO crops without approval in other countries, particularly China, hundreds of thousands of growers across the nation were impacted financially.

GMO corn contamination. Accidental cross-pollination from GMO plants with other types of corn in neighboring fields created a potential liability traced back to the growers. Even a small amount of the contaminated seed can be scattered throughout the complete corn chain, from barges to elevators to grain trains. Lawsuits allege that Syngenta encouraged side-by-side planting despite understanding the likely risks of contamination.

Arkansas farmers who have lost money as a result of Syngenta selling genetically engineered corn seed are joining forces to file Arkansas Syngenta GMO corn lawsuits. Whether or not a farmer used GMO corn seed, their harvest may have been contaminated, rejected or sold at a lower price as a result of Syngenta’s actions. Plaintiffs include exporters, corn farmers, brokers, grain silos, resellers and others involved in the corn chain of distribution.

The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.

If you have questions about the Syngenta corn lawsuit, or if you want to speak with an Arkansas GMO corn lawsuit attorney, contact the Johnson firm today. You can contact us by filling out the form on this page, calling us at 501-777-7777, or emailing us at info@johnsonfirm.law.

After you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to get more information about your case. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and all of the information you provide is confidential.

Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.