An action commenced for 265 dairy farmers who claimed that the NZDB and the LIC were commercially motivated when they introduced a new animal evaluation model in 1996*. The claim was particularly complex and alleged misleading and deceptive conduct in developing the new model and that the resultant product was defective. The case lasted several years and was partially funded by large American corporations. It ultimately failed before the Court of Appeal.
*Among other things, the animal evaluation model uses all NZ herd testing data to produce supposedly reliable information against which farmers can make appropriate culling and breeding decisions.
