Newcomers:
Manfred makes documentaroes for German Public Television. He worked with us when he was here filming the effects of (at that time) 7 years of Saskatchewan experience with RR (Roundup Resistant) canola.
For a few years he has been looking at Monsanto’s work, and is now asking for assistance.
I am just going to paste together. Not organized or edited. Sorry.
Any information or insights you may have will be appreciated.
/Sandra
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I received from Ron/Hart and passed this on to Manfred:
Toronto Star
Taking on chemical giant
Feb. 25, 2006. 01:00 AM
CAMERON SMITH
Alfalfa is the next battleground in the fight to control Canada’s agricultural seeds, and so far, Monsanto Canada Inc. is winning. (Link no longer valid)
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Received from Kathleen, passed on to Manfred:
Cotton Farmers Sue Monsanto, Others, for Crop Loss
USA: February 27, 2006
KANSAS CITY – More than 90 Texas cotton farmers have sued Monsanto Co and two affiliated companies, claiming they suffered widespread crop losses because Monsanto failed to warn them of a defect in its genetically altered cotton product.
The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Marshall, Texas, seeks an injunction against what it calls a “longstanding campaign of deception,” and asks the court to award both actual and punitive damages.
In addition to Monsanto, the suit names Delta & Pine Land Co and Bayer CropScience LP, producers and retailers of Monsanto’s biotech cotton. A Delta & Pine Land spokeswoman said the company had no comment and no one for Bayer, a unit of Bayer AG, returned phone calls seeking comment.
Monsanto, which denies the allegations, wants the complaints removed from the court system and handled through arbitration. About half of the farmers agreed this week to enter into arbitration, but others have not. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Monday in Austin.
The farmers’ essential claim is that Monsanto’s “Roundup Ready” cotton did not tolerate applications of Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer as it has been genetically altered to do.
The farmers claim there is evidence that the promoter gene inserted into the cotton seeds in the genetic modification process does not work as designed in extreme high heat and drought conditions, allowing herbicide to eat into plant tissue, leading to boll deformity, shedding and reduced yields.
The plaintiffs claim Monsanto knew this but did not disclose it so the farmers would continue to buy and use Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide.
“We feel like Monsanto’s been lying to us all along,” said B B Krenek, a Wharton, Texas cotton consultant who is working with a number of affected farmers.
Monsanto spokesman Andrew Berchet said there is no evidence that anything other than the weather is to blame for the technology that caused the crop losses.
“As far as we can tell this is weather related. The month of June was one of the driest and hottest in more than a century,” said Berchet. “We don’t see evidence that this is related to our product.”
But farmer Alan Stasney said he has evidence in his fields. A strip of cotton four rows across and 3,000 feet long that inadvertently was not treated with Roundup yielded 1,051 pounds of lint per acre at harvest, while on either side of those rows, cotton that was treated with Roundup yielded only 675 pounds per acre.
Stasney said the lost yield cost him more than $250,000 in sales and forced him to refinance his farm.
“It is just a real sad situation,” said Stasney. “There are a lot of people in a world of hurt because of that.”
Story by Carey Gillam
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
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Manfred’s comments:
this text seems to be a liitle crazy. Farmers sue Monsanto, because the technique doesent work.
This is totally the wrong direction for an environmental sustainable agriculture. Or?
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Received from Allan, Passed along to Manfred:
Near the bottom of this article you will find some good news!
“University of California won a $100 million – plus settlement Monday from agricultural giant Monsanto for patent claims over the hormone used to make cows produce more milk.”
Too bad that the FDA didn’t “step-in” and demand that Monsanto stop producing that hormone but, given the nature of politics in the USA, I suppose that is expecting common sense where none exists….
Allan
—– Original Message —–
From: SiliconValley.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 8:38 AM
Subject: SiliconValley.com – First Edition
Published: Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006
First Edition
. . . . The University of California won a $100 million-plus settlement Monday from agricultural giant Monsanto for patent claims over the hormone used to make cows produce more milk.
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THIS IS THE QUESTION:
***** Hi Sandra,
what I meant was that report (read below) on Pesticides that Monsantos shareowners wanted to have and as far as I understood Monsantos board refused to hand out.
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Manfred’s question is in relation to this information circulated in our network:
LATEST NEWS
3:30 PM CST Thursday
Monsanto reelects three directors at annual meeting
Monsanto Co.’s shareholders have elected three directors to new terms through 2008 at its annual meeting Thursday.
John Bachmann, senior partner of Edward Jones; William Parfet, chairman and chief executive of MPI Research Inc.; and George Poste, chief executive, health technology networks and director, Arizona Biodesign Institute, were reelected to new terms. Institutional Shareholder Services had recommended a “withhold vote” Parfet and Poste, but the company said in a letter to shareholders it believed the recommendation was based on misguided judgment and urged approval of the two directors.
In addition, shareholders approved the appointment of Deloitte & Touche as the company’s independent auditor and the company’s long-term incentive plan.
Shareholders also rejected four shareholder proposals, including a request that the board review its policies for genetically engineered seed and report to shareowners; that the board provide a report to shareowners regarding pesticides; the adoption of a human rights policy and preparation of a report on the adoption and implementation of the policy; and a proposal regarding animal testing.
St. Louis-based Monsanto Co. (NYSE: MON) develops insect- and herbicide-resistant crops and other agricultural products.
© 2005 American City Business Journals Inc.
http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2005/01/17/daily62.html