Inside China Today

Parents seek class action against toxic milk producers

With the Chinese Communist Party yet to bring forward a compensation plan for victims of toxic milk powder, nearly 100 parents who used Shenyuan baby formula are helping themselves by joining together to seek assistance from lawyers.
On Tuesday (October 14) SOH spoke to victim parent Mr Liu on this move by parents, and Mr Liu said that the government still hasn’t presented its compensation plan, despite saying previously that one would be put forward on October 10. He says the government is trying to lie, and that there are no compensations plans yet. Mr Liu says the government is only engaged in one sided talks with the milk producers, and the lack of consultation with parents means any plans would not be representative of what the parents are seeking.

Unhappy with the approach that the government has adopted, Mr Liu is not ruling out taking more extreme methods to protest. He says he will first go through normal legal avenues to fight for the right of his baby, but if he still cannot get an explanation or any compensation he is willing to use his life in exchange for justice to make those who have added poison, and killed children, pay.

Parents are being advised to collate any information they have, and the lawyer will take those materials to negotiate with businesses and government departments, voicing the concerns of the victims. Some parents still believe that these unscrupulous businessmen need to be tried by the law. One parent asks if those who kill are not held responsible, how can the Chinese Communist Party claim to be serving the people?

Another parent in the joint action, Mr Hao from Shandong province, says if Shenyuan acts swiftly and provides compensation and helps the children, they may not proceed with a law suit. He says that they feel great pressure as they are trying to give their only child a better future, and even though it’s possible they wont receive compensation, at least they can show the children that they are doing something.

A Beijing based lawyer approached by the parents told SOH that he will consider a class action, and that he is happy to represent victims of other milk manufacturers. He says that due to Sanlu’s size, they might consider a law suit, but it would be better for there to be a negotiated outcome. He says there are obvious difficulties, and that if legal proceedings were to go ahead, legal technicalities all need to be considered. The lawyer says if there are a large number of parents seeking representation in legal action, they will go down that avenue.

The above news is brought to you by Qing Yue, Yu Shan and hosted by Chris Thomas For Inside China Today on the SOH Radio Network