Millions to Be Paid in Modified Corn Case

The creator of a genetically modified corn that ended up in the food supply and prompted the recall of taco shells and other products has agreed to pay millions in compensation to farmers and grain elevators across the country. Estimates of the cost to Aventis CropScience range from $100 million to $1 billion. Iowa Atty. Gen. Tom Miller said the four-year agreement between Aventis and 17 states, mainly in the Midwest, calls for the company to pay farmers up to 25 cents per bushel for tainted corn and to reimburse them for other losses. The total amount of grain has not been determined. Aventis’ American depositary receipts closed up 63 cents at $76.81 on the NYSE.