Iowa farmer files StarLink lawsuit against Aventis

CHICAGO, Feb 8 (Reuters) - An Iowa farmer has filed a lawsuit, seeking
class status, against the maker of an unapproved gene-altered corn that
dampened corn exports and prices by entering the food chain, his
attorney said on Thursday.

The legal action was taken by Don Supper, and comes on the heels of
similar lawsuits filed by farmers in Illinois, Nebraska and Iowa against 
Aventis CropScience, the U.S. unit of Franco-German biotech firm Aventis SA
(NYSE:AVE - news) .

``This is a lawsuit for economic loss as opposed to property damage,''
Supper's attorney Roxanne Conlin said, adding that her client was hurt by 
the drop in corn exports and in prices after StarLink corn was detected 
in food products.

Conlin said she would ask the court to certify the case as a class action 
lawsuit.

``Our contention is that StarLink entered the food chain... Every kernel
of corn in Iowa has been adversely affected. European markets have just 
disappeared,'' she said, adding that Supper did not grow StarLink corn.

A spokesperson for Aventis declined to comment because of the pending
litigation.

StarLink corn is not approved for human consumption because of concerns
it might trigger allergic reactions. Originally developed to be resistant 
to the European corn borer insect pest, the StarLink variety is allowed 
as animal feed.

StarLink was found in taco shells in September, leading to an eventual
recall of more than 300 food products.

The corn was also detected in food items in Japan, the top buyer of U.S.
corn, and South Korea, touching off a sharp decline in their imports of 
American corn.

Aventis and attorneys general from 17 U.S. states signed an agreement
late last month, legally binding the company for four years to compensate 
farmers and grain handlers who suffered financially because of StarLink corn.