'My suggestion would be to leave': Chinese-owned Syngenta staying in Nebraska despite cold shoulder from Pillen

A Chinese-owned ag products company that Gov. Jim Pillen suggested should leave Nebraska says it’s not going anywhere.

At a Tuesday USDA news conference announcing measures to counter Chinese involvement in American agriculture, Pillen talked about Syngenta, which produces herbicides, insecticides and seeds in Nebraska.

“Syngenta called me, wanted to come to the Capitol and have a meeting. And I said, I have no interest in having a meeting -- have no interest in you being in Nebraska. My suggestion would be to leave. My suggestion would be to get a different job. I'm really, really proud to announce that Syngenta has sold their business in Nebraska to a family-owned genetic company from the United States,” he said.

Eric Boeck, Regional Director of Syngenta’s North American seed division, said the company is selling its corn seed production facility in Phillips, Nebraska because of overcapacity, but plans to continue producing elsewhere in the state, principally at facilities in Omaha and Waterloo.

“We've been in Nebraska for decades, and we're serving those farmers while in Nebraska through corn products, soybean products and crop protection products, over 300 employees in Nebraska to serve those farmers that are there, and we really believe we offer choice in the industry,” he said.

Boeck added that the federal Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States approved the sale of the previously Swiss-owned Syngenta to a Chinese company in 2016.