Farmer wins fight with agribusiness giant over genetically modified crop
Farmer wins fight with agribusiness giant over genetically modified crop
Saskatchewan farmers know what to do when big business tries to push them around.
About 10 years ago, Monsanto Canada sued Percy and Louise Schmeiser for patent violation when canola plants grown from Monsanto genetically modified canola seeds were found on their Saskatchewan farm. The company sought $400,000 in damages for unpaid royalties.
But the Schmeisers didn’t plant the seeds. They insisted that the seeds found their way to their farm on the wind. (This, of course, is one of the key arguments against GM crops: Once planted, they can’t be contained.)
Canada’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of Monsanto, but gave the Schmeisers the benefit of the doubt and let them off the hook for the $400,000.
And here’s where it starts to get good
When the Schmeisers found more of the GM canola plants growing in their fields the following year, they sent Monsanto a bill for $600 to cover removal of the plants. Monsanto agreed to pay the cleanup bill, but had one stipulation: The Schmeisers would just need to sign a release form stating that they wouldn’t disclose any details of their agreement to the press.
Mr. Schmeiser considered the Monsanto release form a “gag order.” He told the Environmental News Network (ENN): “There was no way we were going to give up our freedom of speech to a corporation.”
So the Schmeisers filed a claim against Monsanto in small claims court. And won.
A Monsanto spokesperson told ENN that it was too bad the matter couldn’t have been resolved more than two and a half years ago “Mr. Schmeiser would have saved himself some legal costs.”
That’s true. But
Taking your fight to court: Hundreds of dollars in legal fees.
Exposing the greed and arrogance of executives for a giant agribusiness company (and rubbing their noses in it): Priceless!
Source:
“Grain Farmer Percy Schmeiser Claims Moral Victory in Seed Battle Against Monsanto” Environmental News Network, 3/21/08, enn.com
