Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey says the agricultural community is closely watching BPI’s ag defamation lawsuit against ABC News. BPI is seeking damages of $5.7 billion claiming ABC’s reports in 2012 referring to their Lean Finely Textured Beef product as “pink slime” tarnished the reputation of the company and lead to the closing of three plants and the laying off of 700 workers. Northey says this is a big case for the ag industry.

In the jury trial being heard in Elk Point, South Dakota ABC News is defending its reports, in part on the basis of first amendment protections. However, Northey says ABC still has a responsibility to be accurate.

ABC also claims people deserve to know what’s in the food they eat. However, when reports are sensationalized Northey says it can have unintended consequences for food companies and farmers.

Its estimated the case could last for as long as 60 days.