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Loading...Lone Farmer Tackles Corporate Giant Monsanto
- Michelle Schoffro Cook
- December 1, 2011
- 7:11 am
- 97 comments
Who says monsters can’t be beaten? Certainly not Percy Schmeiser—a humble farmer in the Canadian prairies. When he planted seeds he probably didn’t realize he would come up against the genetically-modified seed giant Monsanto as part of a decade-long lawsuit. More than that, he probably never imagined he’d be sitting in the victor’s seat. But that’s just what he’s doing.
Monsanto has the reputation of a billion-dollar wielding bully. They’ve slapped lawsuits on many farmers including Percy Schmeiser. But in this modern day David-and-Goliath story, Percy fought back. Monsanto charged him with patent infringement. Over 320 hectares of his land were found to be contaminated with the company’s patented “Roundup Ready Canola.” Innocent or not, most farmers settle with the corporate giant rather than face huge legal bills and years of stress.
“I never put those plants on my land. The question is, where do Monsanto’s rights end and mine begin?” said Schmeiser, who charged Monsanto with libel, trespassing, improperly obtaining seed samples from his farm, callous disregard for the environment for its introduction of genetically-modified (GM) crops without proper controls and containment, and contamination of his crops with unwanted GM plants. Monsanto finally settled out of court to clean up Schmeiser’s land.
His victory is tempered by The Federal Court of Canada decision to uphold the validity of Monsanto’s patent, dismissing Schmeiser’s challenge to the patent, since it stated that Monsanto cannot control the spread of its GM seed due to wind or pollination. Those implications for farmers across Canada are huge since it means corporate giants that contaminate food, crop, and potentially even wild lands are NOT accountable for their frankenseeds, even if they unleashed them on the world. Scary thought!
But, any victory over a frankenseed-introducing corporate giant that threatens food supplies and our ecosystem should be celebrated. Percy Schmeiser’s victory over Monsanto is a victory for all farmers, all Canadians, and everyone who eats…that’s everyone!
Now, Mr. Schmeiser needs support in slaying another giant–legal bills. If you want to know more about his story, or can help with a donation, visit his website: www.percyschmeiser.com.
Read more: Community Service, Conservation, Green, Michelle Schoffro Cook, Nature, News & Issues, canola, corporate giants, endangered food supply, farming, food supply, genetically modified, genetically-engineered, GM, health, important legal victory, Michelle Schoffro Cook, Monsanto, nutrition, percy schmeiser
Michelle Schoffro Cook
Michelle Schoffro Cook, MSc, RNCP, ROHP, DNM, PhD is an international best-selling and twelve-time book author and doctor of traditional natural medicine, whose works include: Healing Recipes, The Vitality Diet, Allergy-Proof, Arthritis-Proof, Total Body Detox, The Life Force Diet, The Ultimate pH Solution, The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan, and The Phytozyme Cure. Check out her natural health resources and subscribe to her free e-newsletter World's Healthiest News at WorldsHealthiestDiet.com.
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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
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people are talking
great ideas
I hope a lot of progressive technology comes of this.
thx!
ispiring article, thank you so much
what great pics
97 comments
+ add your ownPatenting seeds was one of the most idiotic and greedy practices I have ever heard of! I can't believe this ever became a law. What a bunch of BS.. Corporate greed...scum..
Too many farmers were destroyed by this company who believes like all bullies that they are above the law. But no one is. It's a shame that farmers everywhere aren't reimbursed for the hell this company put them through.
mr schmeiser is a hero not only on this side of the pond but also in europe
this courts case was watched carefully. kudos to mr schmeiser and his family for their courage and conviction to stand up for their life.
Good for him!
Yea-a-a-a .... good for the little guy!
I LOVE this man for his perseverance, determination, and integrity! If more farmers were like him, we wouldn't be in this mess. Too many people around the world are too greedy or not well enough informed and believe the garbage they are told about products. When fifteen years or more ago, I heard supposedly intelligent people repeating the propaganda line, "Round up becomes deactivated/inert on contact with the soil." I knew we were in BIG trouble. OMG! Of course it doesn't work if it is not on green leaves, but it is STILL POISON and will do us and our planet tremendous harm!!!!! Our future is in the hands of greedy and likely ignorant governments and farmers who hopefully will STOP buying DANGEROUS products from companies who want to take over the world by controlling our food supplies.
Hooray! Congratulations a million-fold, Percy! That is some persistence!
Genetically modified grains,plants and animals are bad news, not what nature intended. I wish the farmer luck, he will need it. Other farmers have tried to go against Monsanto and have lost.
Corporate Giant or not - they are wrong and I am hoping that the farmer gets all the media attention he deserves and finds a sponsor for the legal costs.
A depressing and scary thing how large corporations have power to play G-d! Really scary.
Please sign my petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/give-a-pitbull-a-chance/
They deserve the award, problem is They just maybe Proud of it!?!
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