An attempt by Saskatchewan certified organic farmers to launch a class action lawsuit against Monsanto Canada and Bayer CropScience was back in court Aug. 24.
A Saskatchewan Court of Appeal justice heard a request from the plaintiffs for leave to appeal a lower court ruling that denied them class certification.
The organic farmers are seeking compensation for losses suffered due to contamination of their fields by genetically modified canola.
Counsel Terry Zakreski said he expected justice S. J. Cameron to issue his decision in about two weeks.
In May, a Queen’s Bench judge ruled that plaintiffs Larry Hoffman and Dale Beaudoin didn’t meet the five criteria for certification under provincial law.
She said there was not enough proof that a large identifiable class of organic farmers was harmed by GM canola.
The plaintiffs argue that the judge erred numerous times in making the decision.
