Yesterday, May 24, Syngenta reached an agreement to settle the lawsuits filed by community water systems regarding the use of atrazine.  In a show of support for farmers, ag retailers, distributors and agriculture in general, the settlement releases all entities from liability related to the presence of atrazine in any water supply.  Syngenta also acknowledges no liability, based on the fact that the plaintiffs were never able to come up with any scientific evidence regarding their claim that atrazine is not safe when used according to the label. 
 

IFCA, distributors and 50 Illinois ag retailers were involved in the lawsuit, having to produce documents, application records, and respond to threats of deposition.  For over 8 years this has been dragging on with no indication it was ever going to end.  Syngenta agreed to settle for $105 million, with a portion of this money (after the trial lawyer's take) going to the community water systems if they accept the agreement.  The settlement also assures that farmers, retailers, distributors and related entities will be released from liability related to the presence of atrazine in any water supply from the labeled use of the product. 

 

The science has always been clear:  No one has ever been or could have been exposed to enough atrazine in drinking water to affect their health.  It is also clear that atrazine benefits agriculture by up to $3.3 billion anually, reduces soil erosion and supports American jobs. 

 

In the end this was never about the safety of atrazine.  One can understand Syngenta's decision, which had to be extremely difficult to make.  This brings closure for Syngenta's customers and the settlement does not impede any future utilization of atrazine according to the label.  We believe it is tragic that the judicial system can be manipulated to make unsubstantiated claims against a reputable company and the legal use of a product that has been proven to be safe.  Millions were spent in litigation, in the end serving no useful purpose for society as a whole.  IFCA respects Syngenta's decision and commends them for the support they lent to IFCA and to the Illinois ag retailers who experienced first-hand this unfortunate manipulation of our legal system.