A Canadian Farmer's (continued)battle with Monsanto

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I'm sure that most in this Forum are familiar with Monsanto

But for those that are unsure, Monsanto is the gang that proliferates Genetically Modified crop seed.

The farmers are not allowed to collect and use the seed.

"The company sells the seed -- about half the canola planted in Saskatchewan this year comes from it -- but keeps the rights to the DNA itself.

It means that, rather than save seeds from last year's crop to use this year, as many do -- and as Schmeiser traditionally does -- farmers have to buy new seed from Monsanto each year.

In order to protect its investment, Monsanto has been vigilant in rooting out frugal farmers who might be cheating and saving seed, or borrowing a bit of seed from neighbours.

Farmers buying Monsanto's seed must sign a contract promising to buy fresh seed every year. And they must let Monsanto inspect their fields."

http://www.percyschmeiser.com/conflict.htm
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Percy Schmeiser was charged by Monsanto for having GM crops on his land, and Percy claims he never planted that crop there.

For stories from Percy's side of the coin - follow the link below.

There's also a donation link near the bottom.

http://www.percyschmeiser.com/

But this is how Monsanto has acted all along. Watching how they operated in the agricultural sector in the late 80's and early 90's (and still today) one got a glimpse of what the repugs were going to do to the rest of the country once it took over.

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and

Monsanto spent a fair bit of money and time, and got nothing for their efforts.

"Monsanto outlined their request for patent infringement seeking damages totaling $400,000. This included a list of civil damages, including about $250,000 in legal fees, $105,000 in profits they feel Schmeiser made on the 1998 crop, $13,500 ($15 an acre) for technology fees and $25,000 in punitive damages. Schmeiser feels that Monsanto has asked for exorbitant amounts to serve as a warning to other producers. At that time Schmeiser said he has already spent $160,000 of his own savings for legal fees and another $40,000 of his own time, travel and compensation for labor he had to hire when he was away from the farm.

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The Supreme Court issued their decision in May 2004 and one can view the decision as a draw. The Court determined that Monsanto's patent is valid, but Schmeiser is not forced to pay Monsanto anything as he did not profit from the presence of Roundup Ready canola in his fields. This issue started with Monsanto demanding Schmeiser pay the $15/acre technology fee and in the end, Schmeiser did not have to pay. The Schmeiser family and supporters are pleased with this decision, however disappointed that the other areas of appeal were not overturned.

http://www.percyschmeiser.com/conflict.htm

And Percy ain't giving up the good fight YET.

Hang in there Percy.

goes into just this story.

It's amazing, but according to some law that monsanto ramrodded through the canadian Parliament, a farmer that has his crops accidentally pollinated by a bee carrying monsanto genetically modified polin is libel for it's growth. Get that? A farmer is guilty because nature does what it does.

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You got a link for that?

I don't have a DVD player, and am on dial-up - so even an on-line video is pretty near impossible for me. I'd like to read something in text on that.

OH - I suppose you must know about the "Doomsday Vault"?

I believe it is in the Netherlands, a vault built into the side of a mountain where they will keep seeds of many plants "just in case" there is a global war.

Things are sort of "connecting" in a nasty way IMHCO.(In My Humble Canuk Opinion)

If we find one seed of their crap in our organic heirloom variety gardens, even if it was dropped there by a passing bird, they ought to be the ones getting sued.

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Now it takes a lot of patience and money to go after the "big guys".

Looks like Percy has the parts to do it.

He has a website

http://www.percyschmeiser.com

There is a link to donate to help him out.

As DU knows, $5 here, $10 there adds up if enough people donate.

At that same link there is the history of his battle with Monsanto over the last 8 years.

Yup

8 YEARS he's been fighting the Monsanto gang.

He sorta won the case when Monsanto sued him, but it cost him over 150 grand.

It's all in the links at his website, the story from 1999 to date.

He's one feisty Canuk!