Bayer, partnering with Louisiana State University, tested its "genetically modified rice at a school-run facility in Crowley, La. in 1998." The rice had not been approved for human consumption at the time. In 2006, USDA announced that contamination had occurred with Liberty Link 601 in the commercial rice supply and Japan and the European Union (EU) banned US rice imports. Consequently, rice prices and exports dropped.
This ruling is the sixth against Bayer, so far. The Washington Post reports that the company faces "about 500 additional lawsuits in federal and state courts with claims by 6,600 plaintiffs." All of the juries have found Bayer negligent and liable to the rice farmers for damages with the company losing about $52 million in jury awards prior to this most recent case.
Trial is expected to begin in another Arkansas case against Bayer in September and a federal trial is scheduled to begin in October.
To read the Arkansas Times Online story, click here (subscription required).
To read the Washington Post story, click here.
Posted: 07/30/2010
