US Farmers Launch Billion Dollar Class Action Suit Against Syngenta Over Chinese GMO Corn Scandal

[eridani]

http://www.nationofchange.org/2014/10/14/us-farmers-launch-billion-dollar-class-action-suit-syngenta-chinese-gmo-corn-scandal/


Syngenta may have single-handedly destroyed the corn export business that US farmers count on, while depressing local domestic corn prices. Now, the biotech giant will have to face a $1 billion claim in Federal Court being launched by farmers in three different states.

China has recently rejected huge shipments of US-grown GMO corn largely because Syngenta released a genetically altered variety before its was approved for consumption or sale in Chinese markets.

Volnek Farms of Omaha claims that Syngenta, the Hopkins Minnesota-based biotech company that is responsible for covering up the true toxicity of Atrazine, has “completely destroyed US exports of corn to China.”

Cronin Inc. and Jim Ruba Jr. from Sioux City, Iowa claim that they do not even use GM corn, but they have been hurt by Syngenta’s actions because their GMO variety, Viptera, cross-bred with their non-GMO corn crops. They also claim that Syngenta’s statements were misleading relating to the approval status of MIR162 corn in China, and this has hurt farmers who did plant that variety. The long-term ramifications of this strain of GMO corn will continue to depress the corn markets both here and in foreign markets for years.

In a Springfield, Illinois Federal Court, similar claims will be made, that Syngenta’s Agrisure Viptera (MIR162) first released for planting n 2009 to prevent insects such as corn borer and corn rootworm form destroying crops, may have been approved by US regulatory agencies, but Syngenta claimed that they would be accepted in foreign markets too, before those agencies had in fact cleared the GM crops for import.

[Cha]

1. Yeah, damn.. this hasn't been a tragic accident waiting to happen since the get-go. :(

"Meanwhile, Chinese regulators continue to reject GMO corn from the US which contains even traces of the Syngenta strain, and even Agri Giant, Cargill previously sued Syngenta for “exposing the agribusiness company to more than $90 million in losses by selling the trait in corn seed without China’s approval for imports.”

The MIR162 strain of GM corn was only planted on about 3percent of US crops; however, it cannot be contained, due to cross-breeding"

[Hekate]

2. Well, damn. KnR

[loudsue]

3. And most of those mega-farm owners who are suing Syngenta vote republican

Same party that appointed the judges that are going to support the chemical companies. What part of "thou shalt not turn over the money changers' tables" don't these farmers get?

[PuraVidaDreamin]

5. True dat!

The chickens are truly coming home to roost!

[MisterP]

9. like when Bush put the GOPer Vilsack in charge of our food supply!

Last edited Sat Oct 18, 2014, 03:02 PM - Edit history (1)

[madokie]

4. GMO crops are not the same thing as selective breeding as some suggest

as a real smart and famous person recently suggested. I'll not go into name calling but anyone paying attention will know who I'm making reference too. That part is sad too as I'd think he would have known better. I've noticed since his mistake on GMO is the same as selective breeding I've not seen him around much anymore

[Agony]

6. there are bigger fish to fry

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025667157

[madokie]

7. Sorry

that has nothing to do whatsoever with this post or my reply

[KurtNYC]

8. Most of the glyphosate used worldwide is produced in China

Glyphosate production is an integral cog in the economic engine of China’s crop protection manufacturing base. The number and breadth of industries – both foreign and international – involved in its productions, distribution and transport cannot be understated, and for this reason the Chinese government is understandably protective of its interests.

Treading a dangerous line between outright anticompetitive behaviors and protection of its indigenous markets, the Chinese government has adjusted the export tax rebate on N-phosphonomethyl aminodiacetic acid (PMIDA), an important precursor chemical of glyphosate. The removal of the 13% rebate was pitched as an environmental initiative to protect China’s phosphorus resources. But an ulterior motive for this move has a hugely significant – and surely intended – corollary effect: promoting the Chinese glyphosate industry.

http://www.farmchemicalsinternational.com/crop-inputs/why-glyphosate-prices-are-rising/

Glyphosate is Round Up. It is the chemical that strains of GMO corn are genetically modified to withstand. So China sell us tons of glyphosate then bans the importation of certain glyphosate dependent crops.

In a related story, the huge corn crop this year and being shut out of some export markets has driven US corn prices to record lows which will trigger US government subsidies to GMO farmers of up to $8 bil USD for this year.