ADA, Minn., March 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Hundreds of Wisconsin farmers who purchased the BASF herbicide POAST(R) may now be eligible for cash benefits from a $62.5 million fund established from the judgment of a class action lawsuit.
The lawsuit claimed that BASF Corporation fraudulently marketed the same herbicide as different products — POAST(R) and POAST Plus(R) — at different prices in order to obtain inflated prices for POAST(R) from “minor crop” farmers. Minor crop farmers are growers of sugarbeets, sunflowers, potatoes, field beans, fruits and vegetables, and flowers. Because of another lawsuit, this class action excludes North Dakota residents who purchased POAST(R) in North Dakota.
If the distribution plan is approved by the Court, the judgment will provide for a fund to be distributed to persons who submit valid claims. A class member’s share of the fund will depend on the number of gallons of POAST(R) purchased by the class member and the total number of valid claims filed.
More details about the $62.5 million fund and how to file a claim are available at www.POASTclassaction.com or by calling 1-800-678-9587.
“This case affects thousands of farmers across the country. I encourage everyone who purchased POAST(R) between 1992 and 1996 to call or visit the Web site for complete information about the lawsuit judgment and how to file a claim. This fund belongs to the farmers,” explained Class Counsel Douglas J. Nill of Minneapolis, MN.
To obtain money from the fund, class members must have purchased POAST(R) between January 1, 1992 and December 31, 1996 and must file a valid claim form by May 16, 2007. Proof of purchase is required to file a claim. Claim forms and information on acceptable proofs of purchase are available at the Web site www.POASTclassaction.com or can be obtained by calling 1-800-678-9587.
Individuals wishing to object to the proposed distribution plan and request for attorneys’ fees must do so by May 9, 2007. Individuals wishing to speak about their objection must file a notice of appearance by May 9, 2007.
On June 5, 2007 the court will hold a final approval hearing to consider whether to approve the proposed distribution plan and request for attorneys’ fees. All potential class members are encouraged to visit www.POASTclassaction.com or call 1-800-678-9587 to determine if they are a class member and to obtain information about their legal rights and about filing a claim.
This release is distributed on behalf of the POAST(R) Claims Administrator for the Farmers’ Common Fund.
Source: POAST(R) Claims Administrator for the Farmers’ Common Fund
