Monsanto
Monsanto Harassment Continues to Intensify
Fresh from it's battle with Percy Schmeiser, Monsanto is set to
tangle with any farmer who they allege has illegally grown Round
ready canola.
It appears many other western Canadian farmers are facing harassment
from Monsanto. Monsanto had already declared war on Saskatchewan
farmers immediately after their judgment against Percy Schmeiser,
but it appears their approach now is to the extreme.
Schmeiser has received hundreds of phone calls from farmers who are
facing similar circumstances. Monsanto representatives have
threatened and pressured these farmers with demand letters. Their
approach borders on the extreme, as many of the farmers who have
called Schmeiser are in the same circumstances; they never signed
any contracts with Monsanto, nor wanted to use their product,
however, Monsanto says their canola fields have traces of their
Round-Up Ready canola and they must pay.
After discussion with farmers and respective legal counsel, one can
argue that Monsanto is try to use extortion. Monsanto is targeting
farmers who have not signed their technology use contract. Monsanto
sends intimidating letters to these farmers, (see below) and using
the Schmeiser case as a foundation, they try and extort money from
the farmer. (See other letters: Letter #1 & Letter #2).
You can argue that Monsanto is after a cash grab when confronting
farmers. They determine the amount of acres in question, they
determine the profits acceptable to them, and then try and force a
settlement from the farmer.
What is a farmer to do? It may be in their best interests to
negotiate and pay a lesser sum to Monsanto, as opposed to going to
the court system to prove their innocence. Keep in mind that the
lower court decision against Schmeiser said that it didn't matter
how the Round-Up Ready canola got into Schmeiser's fields...Monsanto
was entitled to damages because of patent infringement. Although the
Supreme Court of Canada overturned this and Schmeiser was successful
in this one respect (the Court determined that he didn't profit from
Monsanto's technology and that he didn't have to pay them anything)
one can argue that Monsanto still uses a big hammer to go after
anyone who they may feel may have potentially had their technology
appear.
It is obvious that Monsanto will still use force and intimidation on
farmers to use Round-Up Ready canola and sign a TUA. The risk of not
doing so could open the farmer to a patent infringement lawsuit from
Monsanto.
If you believe in this important cause, your assistance in
funding the appeal would be greatly appreciated.
You can make a donation online here
Or if you prefer, please send a check or money order to:
"Fight Genetically Altered Food Fund Inc."
Box 3743, Humboldt SK Canada SOK 2AO
5 2008
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