An estimated 5,000 to 10,000 dairy farmers in the Northeast would be eligible to file claims for monetary damages in the $30 million antitrust lawsuit against Dallas-based Dean Foods Co. if a federal judge in Vermont approves a settlement agreement.
Dean, along with Kansas City-based Dairy Farmers of America and its affiliate, Dairy Marketing Services, were named in the antitrust class-action lawsuit alleging monopolization, price-fixing and other anti-competitive conduct in the dairy business. Dean settled, agreeing to pay $30 million in damages. The lawsuit continues against DFA and DMS.
"Dairy farmers in Vermont and throughout the northeastern United States are really struggling, and they have been struggling for some time," said Benjamin Brown, an attorney at Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, PLLC, based in Washington, D.C. "This case is not going to be a panacea that saves all farmers, but we are hopeful that this provides some important relief and this settlement is a very significant step for farmers."
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