Farm-Scape is sponsored by Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork Play Audio Farm-Scape is a Wonderworks Canada production and is distributed courtesy of Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork.

Farm-Scape, Episode 1298

A negotiated out of court settlement has cleared the way for those Canadians who purchased lysine between June 1, 1992 and June 27, 1995 to receive compensation.

The settlement is the result of a class action lawsuit filed after three of Canada's major suppliers of Lysine, an amino acid feed additive, were fined under the Competition Act for conspiracy to fix prices.

The agreement affects anyone in or from Canada who purchased lysine in any form or products derived from animals that consumed Lysine.

Charles Wright, a partner with Siskinds, says the settlement, which has been approved by the courts, effectively resolves all claims in Canada.

"The total settlement is 5.25 million dollars.

The majority of it is being paid out by Archer Daniels Midland Company which had the greatest market share in Canada but other defendants in the case who settled included Ajinomoto, a Japanese company, and their American subsidiary was Heartland lysine and a company by the name of Kyowa Hakko and their sales into Canada would have been through their American subsidiary Biokyowa.

For those who bought lysine or feed containing lysine between '92 and '95 are eligible to file claims, both those at the feed mill level or if you are a chicken or hog or other farmer and you bought product containing lysine you are eligible to file a claim for compensation".

To receive compensation eligible distributors, feed mills, and farmers must complete their claim forms and submit certain required supporting documentation by September 6th.

The deadline for opting out of the class action is July 23.

Additional information can be obtained by accessing www.classaction.ca.