MPBN program to focus
on organic seed growers’ suit against Monsanto
This Thursday, Jim Gerritsen, from Wood Prairie Farm in Bridgewater, will appear on the Maine Public Broadcasting show “Maine Watch With Jennifer Rooks” to discuss the recent, ruling of Judge Naomi Buchwald in the Federal District Court of Manhattan.
The case, Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association et al. vs. Monsanto Company et al, No. 1:11-cv-2163-NRB, was filed by Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) last March on behalf of more than 50 organizations challenging the agricultural giant’s patents on its genetically modified seeds. The group had sought a ruling prohibiting Monsanto from suing the farmers or dealers if their organic see became contaminated with Monsanto’s patented biotech seed germplasm.
Buchwald dismissed the case, calling it a “transparent effort to create a controversy where none exists. Gerritsen, who serves as president of the lead plaintiff in the suit — Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association — expressed dismay and frustration with the decision.
“We reject as naive and undefendable the judge’s assertion that Monsanto’s vague public relations ‘commitment’ should be ‘a source of comfort’ to plaintiffs. The truth is we are under threat and we do not believe Monsanto. The truth is that American farmers and the American people do not believe Monsanto,” said Gerritsen.
“Family farmers deserve our day in court and this flawed ruling will not deter us from continuing to seek justice,” Gerritsen said.
The “Maine Watch” interview airs on March 8 at 8 p.m. with rebroadcasts on Friday at 9 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. An audio version of the program also will air on MPBN Radio at 12:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon.
Monsanto, the world’s largest seed company and leader in development and marketing of genetically altered soybeans, corn and other crops, has filed numerous infringement lawsuits against farmers, dating back to 1997, winning judgments against farmers Monsanto officials reported made use of their seed without payment of required royalties. The court ruling noted there isn’t any likelihood Monsanto would pursue such patent infringement cases against organic farmers, since those growers don’t use the patented seeds to grow their crops.
