Monsanto settles genetically-modified wheat suits with some Washington farmers

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Monsanto Co. said its settled lawsuits brought by some Pacific Northwest soft white wheat farmers after genetically-modified wheat was discovered on an Eastern Oregon farm in May 2013.

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Ben Miller

Contributing Editor- Puget Sound Business Journal

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Monsanto Co. said its settled lawsuits brought by some Pacific Northwest soft white wheat farmers after genetically-modified wheat was discovered on an Eastern Oregon farm in May 2013.

After the discovery, temporary limits were placed on soft white wheat exports because of concerns about the spread of the genetically-modified wheat.

As part of the settlement, Monsanto said it will contribute $100,000 to the National Wheat Foundation, and $50,000 each to the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, the Oregon Wheat Growers' League, and the Idaho Grain Producers' Association.

The company also said it will establish a $2.125 million settlement to pay farmers in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho who sold soft white wheat between May 30, 2013 and Nov. 30, 2013.

"Rather than paying the costs of protracted litigation, this agreement puts that money to work in research and development efforts for the wheat industry, while providing a negotiated level of compensation for farmers with documented soft white wheat sales from May 30 to Nov. 30, 2013," said Kyle McClain, Monsanto chief litigation counsel, in a statement.