Nebraska is one of the top three states that produces most of our nation’s corn. During the year 2015, only two states (Iowa and Illinois) grew more corn than Nebraska. We produced over 1.6 billion bushels to be exact. This is a fact that makes many Nebraska farmers proud every day.
The U.S. is the largest corn producer in the world. Most of it we use ourselves, but there’s also a significant portion that gets exported to other countries. In 2015, for example, it was estimated that approximately 13% of the nation’s entire crop of 14.2 billion bushels of corn was exported to more than 100 different countries around the world.
In 2014, however, the market saw a sharp decline in the amount of corn that was exported to other countries. Only 6% of our nation’s crop was exported. Why the sudden drop? The answer to that question is complex, but it has partially to do with the fact that the U.S. corn market experienced a period during 2014 that forced corn growers to put a halt on exportations.
An agribusiness by the name of Syngenta caused the halt by creating a type of corn seed that contained a new genetically modified trait. This trait is referred to as MIR 162 and was found in Agrisure Viptera seed as well as Agrisure Duracade seed. Syngenta knowingly sold these types of seeds to U.S. corn growers during the years 2009 to 2014 even though the trait was not approved in China.
The effects of this decision weren’t good. The lack of approval forced China to halt all corn imports for any crops containing traces of MIR 162. Due to cross-contamination, most U.S. corn growers weren’t able to export their corn to China for over a year. Now there are lawsuits targeting Syngenta stating that the company wrongly withheld information regarding China’s approval status after telling growers that the trait had been approved when it hadn’t been.
If you’re a U.S. corn grower, producer, handler, or exporter that was negatively affected by the actions Syngenta took and suffered an economic loss as a result of corn seed containing the MIR 162 trait, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit of your own. Doing so may award your business with financial compensation to help recover the loss of income from 2014. For more information, contact an Omaha, NE Syngenta litigation lawyer.
Learn the Facts: What is Syngenta Litigation?
Syngenta, a Swiss agricultural corporation that operates in 90 countries worldwide, genetically manufactured a corn seed trait called MIR 162 which provides protection against common corn pests like corn earworms and black cutworms. In 2009, the MIR 162 trait was included in Agrisure Viptera corn seed. After 2009, the trait was additionally included in Agrisure Duracade seed. Since 2015, the trait has additionally been introduced into other types of corn seed.
Corn produced from seed containing MIR 162 was approved without issue in the United States. It wasn’t until the U.S. tried to export the corn that issues started appearing. In order to sell more seed, Syngenta reassured concerned growers that all countries, including China, had approved the seed. This wasn’t the case, however. China was still in the process of approval. Due to the threat of cross-contamination, all corn exports to China had to be stopped during 2014.
This caused dramatic effects to the U.S. corn industry. Nebraska’s corn growers and exporters felt the effects of this halt the most—along with growers and exporters in the states of Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas. There’s no way that any corn grower would have not felt the effects, in fact. It is with this reason in mind that our firm decided to open its doors to crown growers, handlers, and exporters in the Midwest who may have suffered a financial loss during this period.
It wasn’t right for Syngenta to not disclose the facts regarding China’s approval status. Had they been upfront about the seed approval situation, corn growers and exporters could have made an informed decision based purely on the facts. Thankfully, when a business partner wrongfully fails to deliver the truth, the U.S. justice system is on our side. Litigation exists to protect our rights.
Recover Losses with a Nebraska Syngenta Litigation Lawyer
Welsh & Welsh is currently accepting Syngenta litigation claims from all Nebraska corn farmers who have been affected by the 2014 export crisis. Our law firm’s Syngenta litigation claims are not part of a mass tort lawsuit. We file and handle every case on an individual basis and focus on the needs of your business above everything else. In addition to Nebraska claims, we can also accept claims in Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, you’re welcome to contact our law office at any time. We can pair you with an Omaha, NE Syngenta litigation lawyer who can go over your case with you and find out if receiving financial compensation for your economical losses is an option. Your time to file a lawsuit against Syngenta may be running out. Don’t wait to get in touch with us.
