$millions gene crop lawsuit launched
15 December 1999
$millions gene crop lawsuit launched
A MULTIMILLION dollar lawsuit, the first global challenge to the spread of genetically modified (GM) crops, has been launched in the US courts.
Monsanto, the company at the centre of controversy over GM crops in the UK, is named as the target defendant.
The suit names other agricultural biotechnology companies including DuPont, Pioneer Hi-Breed, Dow Chemical, Novartis and AstraZeneca as “co-conspirators”.
The suit accuses Monsanto, in particular, of forming a worldwide cartel to monopolise the market for corn and soyabean seeds, to restrain trade in those markets and to fix prices.
The company is also accused of violating international human rights by rushing GM seeds to market before sufficient testing of the environmental and human health effects.
The plaintiffs, who are seeking class-action status, are individual farmers from the USA and France, who are named as representative of farmers worldwide.
It was drawn up by the leading US class-action firm Cohen Milstein Hausfield & Toll on behalf of a consortium of other firms, who have taken the case on a no-win, no fee basis.
- GM firms face huge lawsuit, FWi, 14 September, 1999
- US organic farmers sue over GM crops, FWi19 February, 1999
- Financial Times 15/12/99 page 11