Aventis Pays Millions for StarLink Corn Debacle

ENS 24jan01

WASHINGTON, DC  -- Aventis CropScience - the maker of StarLink genetically modified corn - has agreed to pay  growers 25 cents per bushel of corn to ensure that Starlink stays out of the food supply.

Starlink turned up on grocery shelves last year in products like taco shells and tortillas, prompting billions of dollars in recalls, and leaving many farmers without a market for their crops.

Aventis has signed an agreement with the attorneys general of 17 states to pay millions of dollars to farmers and grain processors to compensate them for corn they cannot sell.

"I am very pleased we reached this formal agreement," said Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, who announced the agreement on  Tuesday. "Aventis has affirmed the assurances and claim procedures it posted at the company web site recently for growers and elevators, and the company specifically assured the states that it has access to assets necessary to satisfy its obligations under the agreement."

"Now we have an agreement that can be enforced by the states," Miller said. "Aventis expressly agreed that it is obligated to compensate growers and elevators for loss in value resulting from StarLink corn, buffer corn and commingled corn. That means the states have clear standing to go to court if Aventis fails to live up to its obligations."

The agreement includes claim procedures for farmers who planted StarLink and for farmers whose crops test positive for the StarLink protein even though they did not plant the engineered variety. Many traditional corn crops have been contaminated with StarLink proteins through pollen drift or mixing at grain silos.

Grain silo operators that have lost money because their equipment became contaminated with StarLink corn will also be eligible for reimbursement.

Aventis will pay 25 cents per bushel to growers, and use the contaminated corn for animal feed other approved uses. Growers can apply for reimbursement for the costs of storing, testing or  transporting StarLink corn, but they must apply before February 15.

More information is available at: http://www.StarLinkCorn.com