Farmers told to abandon OP claim
17 October 2000
Farmers told to abandon OP claim
by Alistair Driver
FARMERS who believe they were poisoned by organophosphate sheep dip have been advised by their own solicitors to abandon their claim for damages.
Solicitors from the law firm Hodge Jones & Allen have written to up to 20 farmers saying that the case has no more than a 50% chance of success.
A copy of the letter, seen by Farmers Weekly, indicates that the lawyers believe there is insufficient scientific evidence to support poisoning claims.
Hundreds of farmers and farm workers who also believe they have been poisoned by OP dip had been pinning their hopes on the case succeeding.
But the letter includes a consent form for farmers to allow the lawyers to abandon their legal action against dip manufacturers and government bodies.
The defendants have pledged not to pursue the claimants legal costs if the farmers agree to pull out by Wednesday (18 October), the letter says.
But the defendants will seek costs against the farmers assets if claimants proceed and then drop out at a later date or if the case fails, it adds.
In a bid to explain their recommendations, solicitors from Hodge Jones & Allen met with the farmers in London on Tuesday (17 October).
Some of the farmers, were too ill to travel. They watched the London meeting via video links to Hereford and Plymouth.
Widespread anger was directed at the solicitors from producers who said they felt let down by the firm. The company said it would release a statement shortly.