- BRUNO, Saskatchewan - A
multinational biotech company has successfully sued a Saskatchewan farmer
for growing its special canola without a licence. The case raised debate
over new food technology.
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- Monsanto took Percy Schmeiser of Bruno, Sask. to court
for illegally using the company's genetically modified and pesticide-resistant
canola seeds.
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- http://www.fct-cf.gc.ca/bulletins/whatsnew/whatsnew_e.shtml
Read the full ruling A federal court ruled Thursday that Schmeiser violated
the company's patent on the seeds. Monsanto has spent billions of dollars
developing and patenting the special canola.
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- Percy Schmeiser
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- The court ordered the two sides three weeks to agree
on a sum for monetary damages. If they can't, Schmeiser will pay Monsanto
$15,450.
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- Schmeiser is also prohibited from planting seed kept
from his 1997 and 1998 crops.
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- Alan McHughen, an author and plant geneticist, says the
ruling clarifies that farmers can't grow genetically modified seed they
haven't paid for, and if they find it growing on their land, they must
destroy it.
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- "Farming, like all businesses, has become more complex
and farmers need to know clearly what the rules are, and one of the benefits
of this ruling is that it makes the rules a little bit more clear,"
he says.
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- Case takes toll on Schmeiser, family
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- Schmeiser admits the canola was growing on his 1,400-acre
farm, but argued the seeds blew over from a neighbour's farm or from passing
seed trucks. He argued that he had the right to replant his seeds without
paying anyone for them again and again.
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- Schmeiser, 70, has become a champion among those opposed
to genetically modified foods.
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- On Thursday, Schmeiser said he was "disappointed
and upset" over the ruling. He also broke down when he told reporters
how the case has exhausted his and his wife's retirement funds.
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- "I've lost 50 years of work because of a company's
genetically altered seed getting into my canola, destroying what I've worked
for, destroying my property and getting sued on top it," he said.
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- Monsanto defends patent
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- Monsanto argued that it owned the plants since it owns
the patent on their altered genes. It says farmers must pay each time they
use seeds containing the genes or destroy their crop.
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- The company had argued it was a simple case of patent
law, and it deserved to be paid for what it owns.
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- In a written statement, Monsanto said, "This decision
means companies like ours can continue to invest in important research
in Canada, knowing our rights will be respected."
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- Schmeiser has counter-sued the company, saying its seeds
have now contaminated his crop.
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