Settlement Prospects Dim in Wheat Lawsuits against Monsanto

No agreement has been reached yet on the settlement of remaining claims in lawsuits over the May 2013 discovery of genetically engineered Monsanto wheat in an Oregon field.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn H. Vratil on Tuesday set a status conference for Jan. 29 in federal court in Kansas City, Kansas.

A joint status report filed Monday says the parties have been exchanging settlement offers. The report also said the last offer from non-soft white wheat plaintiffs is under consideration by St. Louis-based Monsanto Co. The lawsuits from across the country have been consolidated in Kansas.

The filing says the parties will discuss an amicable resolution but urges the court to vacate its earlier order staying proceedings.

The parties want the court to address Monsanto’s motions seeking to dismiss the cases.