Genetic rice suit moving forward

The issue of genetically modified rice may have faded from the headlines, but attorneys at the Birmingham-based law firm, Hare, Wynn, Newton and Newell are actively pursuing a lawsuit over the August 2006 incident when small quantities of GMO rice were found in the Arkansas crop.

Last Wednesday, representatives of the firm updated local farmers at a meeting sponsored by the Arkansas Rice Growers’ Association on the status of the suit. The suit started out “over a year ago, with12 farmers from Lonoke County,” attorney Jim Thompson said. There are now 287 farm entities signed onto the suit. Thompson could not give a specific number, but said afterward there were “several” from Arkansas County.

The suit names Bayer Crop Sciences who grew the GMO rice and Riceland Foods as defendants. Thompson said Bayer had the case removed from state court and sent to federal court. “That was a delaying tactic,” Thompson said. The case is now back in Lonoke County Circuit Court.

Afterward, Thompson said he expects the case will go to trial this year. “We’re asking for a trail date before the year is out.” Despite the delay caused by sending the case to the federal court, “we’re pretty far along, considering that we lost a year.”

Paul Byrd from the firm’s Little Rock office gave some of the background of the case. Red rice, a persistent problem for Arkansas rice farmers, was becoming more resistant to the herbicides used to kill it, so “Bayer Crop Science saw an opportunity,” Byrd said. They knew the European Union had a “zero tolerance policy” toward GMO material, but “they started pushing the limit,” Byrd said.

“They gambled they’d get EU approval for this,” Byrd said. “They gambled with you [farmers].”

Byrd also criticized Riceland for not making the presence of GMO material in Arkansas rice public sooner.

“What if you had that knowledge 30 days earlier?” Byrd asked. Farmers could then have taken action to segregate the Cheniere rice, where the GMO was detected. “We lost an opportunity,” he said.

Thompson said Riceland has a “fiduciary relationship” with its members, which makes it Riceland’s responsibility to look out for the interest of its members. “They failed to uphold it.”

Attorney Jerry Kelly of Carlisle said, “We’re asking the hard questions, but they’re fighting us tooth-and-nail.” Thompson encouraged all farmers effected to get involved. “Go get a lawyer, even if you don’t hire us.”

County voters go for Clinton and Huckabee

In an informal and unscientific exit poll conducted Tuesday, south Arkansas County voters generally went for the state’s favorite son or daughter.

Genetic rice suit moving forward

The issue of genetically modified rice may have faded from the headlines, but attorneys at the Birmingham-based law firm, Hare, Wynn, Newton and Newell are actively pursuing a lawsuit over the August 2006 incident when small quantities of GMO rice were found in the Arkansas crop.

Merchant in Circuit Clerk race

Sarah Merchant has announced her candidacy for Circuit Clerk of Arkansas County.

Good Neighbor Braswell involved

The quote “Don’t just do what is expected, do what is needed,” could very well be Marilyn Braswell’s life motto.

Dollarway beats Dragons

Dollarway controlled all four quarters and beat the DeWitt Dragons 73-41 last Friday in a District 8-4A game in Pine Bluff.

DeWitt High School Student Voice

When this year’s Super Bowl came around, I was more than prepared. In Mrs. Bradley’s Sports and Entertainment Marketing class, I had learned how much a commercial costs ($2.74 million for 30 seconds), how much a ticket costs ($600, but when you factor in scalpers probably closer to $3000), and even how much some hotels were charging (I think the record was $700 a night with a minimum three-night booking).

Obituaries

Arlena Griffin McDonald Matlock

Pilgrim Reflections

The seat of the scornful

My Super (non-Bowl) Sunday

When I was going about my usual rounds Monday, someone asked me, “How did you like that game last night?”

Gillett School Notes

Coming Events

Pilgrim Reflections

Living in the now will keep you from regrets in the later.