Federal Judge Allows FTC Antitrust Case Against Syngenta to Proceed

(NAFB.com) A federal antitrust lawsuit challenging Syngenta s pesticide marketing practices will proceed after a judge rejected the company s request for summary judgment. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the court issued its ruling Oct. 22 in litigation involving allegations that pesticide manufacturers used loyalty programs to restrict competition from lower-cost generic products. The FTC and participating states contend that the programs discouraged agricultural retailers and distributors from purchasing competing pesticides, potentially increasing costs for American farmers. Syngenta has challenged the allegations. The court s ruling allows the claims to proceed but does not establish that the company violated antitrust laws. The case originally involved Syngenta and Corteva. Corteva reached a settlement in September requiring changes to certain pesticide loyalty programs for 10 years. The FTC says its enforcement efforts are intended to preserve competition in agricult