Large‑Scale Agricultural Product Liability & Product Recall - Pasture Seed Contamination
The Challenge:
We were engaged on a nationally significant agricultural matter following the discovery that a commercially released pasture seed contained a naturally occurring endophyte that had not been identified on the product label. This led to a voluntary product recall as a precautionary measure, which included spray‑out and pasture remediation across multiple regions, affecting more than 300 producers nationwide.
The situation involved a wide range of farming enterprises and growing conditions, and required careful consideration of causation, on‑farm impacts, and appropriate compensation, all while maintaining clear communication and confidence among producers, insurers and the insured.
Our Approach:
Our team provided end‑to‑end agricultural claims and engagement support, working closely with insurers, legal advisers, and technical specialists.
We took responsibility for:
- Direct communication with affected producers
- Assisting with technical and causation enquiries
- Assessing impacts and reasonable on‑farm losses
- Facilitating settlement discussions and outcomes, and dispute resolution where required.
To support fairness and consistency, we applied a structured assessment framework that considered individual farm circumstances while ensuring a consistent approach across all claims. Clear, practical communication was central to our engagement, helping producers understand the process and outcomes at each stage.
The Outcome:
- More than 300 producer matters resolved
- All claims finalised without court proceedings, with most resolved within 12 months
- Impacts assessed on a clear, evidence‑based, and practical footing
- The recall, remediation and compensation process completed efficiently
- Producers, insurers, and other stakeholders able to move forward with confidence
- Despite the scale of the matter, it was resolved collaboratively and entirely outside the court system.
Bottom Line:
By combining our agricultural expertise, structured assessment techniques, and a genuine understanding of farming operations, we helped deliver a practical, fair, and timely resolution to a complex national matter.
Clear communication, consistent decision‑making, and a producer‑focused approach allowed a large‑scale issue to be resolved in a way that supported farming businesses and achieved a commercially sound outcome for all parties.
