In 2009, Syngenta began to release a genetically modified corn trait, Agrisure Viptera.  The release of this GMO caused U.S. corn to become contaminated with a second GMO, MIR162.

In November 2013, Syngenta became aware that China had not approved the importation of corn tainted with MIR162.

Despite this knowledge, in early 2014, Syngenta released its second generation of MIR162 corn, Agrisure Duracade.  During this time, Syngenta encouraged American farmers to continue to plant Syngenta corn containing MIR162.

Today, according to a recent National Gain and Feed Association study, the rejection of American corn exports by the Chinese government has caused corn prices to plummet by more than 11 cents per bushel, resulting in a projected loss of $1.14 billion for the last nine months of the marketing year ending August 2014.  Early estimates indicate that total losses could reach $2.9 billion.

Pursuant to 2012 city-date information, farmers in Macon County, Illinois harvested 151,029 acres of corn.  Using conservative damage estimates, Macon County farmers are projected to lose approximately $3,201,362 due to Syngenta’s negligence concerning the distribution of American corn containing MIR162.

Attorneys at Bolen Robinson & Ellis have been closely monitoring the Syngenta situation for a number of months. In partnership with other top law firms from across America, BRE is now ready to move forward to protect the interests of its extensive client base of farmers and agricultural land owners.

BRE and its team is still investigating the best course of action to take going forward including the possibility of filing individual suits, filing suits on behalf of groups of clients with the same or similar damages, filing class actions that seek global relief and reform of Syngenta’s practices or working with the attorneys that already have cases on file to ensure that they adequately protect the interests of the farming community.

Please do not hesitate to contact our BRE team if you, or anyone you know, believes that they have been negatively impacted by the appalling negligence of Syngenta.