An alfalfa farmer explains why he sued Monsanto

…Long-term trouble

The crop yields are reduced and difficult to harvest; the farmers must then revert to conventional methods to control the weeds. Some examples of this include the giant amaranth that has invaded GE corn and cotton fields; the same will true for GE sugar beets that will have to compete with red root pigweed.

So, there is really no advantage to planting GE RR crops after a few seasons because weeds and other plants develop a resistance to glyphosate spray. But all of the small independent seed companies will be gone and Monsanto will own the agricultural seed industry.

Monsanto’s business has declined because their patents are expiring. For instance, Geertson estimated that 60% of their RR spray market was lost to cheaper generic brands. Geertson said that Monsanto has not been bashful about charging exorbitant prices for their patented RR spray. After Monsanto’s patent expired, generic glyphosate flooded the market and brought prices down dramatically.

GM Watch reports that Monsanto has raised prices for its products at a “whopping” rate in the past. For example, between 2006 to 2008, soybean seed prices rose from an average of $32.30 to $49.23 per bag; this calculates to a 52% increase.

GM Watch further states, “Patenting also inhibits public sector research and further undermines the rights of farmers to save and exchange seeds. Monsanto devotes an annual budget of 10 million dollars to harassing, intimidating, suing – and in some cases bankrupting – American farmers over alleged improper use of its patented seeds.”

“Unknown” unknowns

Phil Geertson has grave concerns about the health safety effects of GE products that have not been tested and proven safe.

He is also concerned about contamination by GE seeds that cannot be recalled from the environment.

Mr. Geertson said that he is dismayed over the lack of accountability of large corporations and individuals who are responsible for these potential health and environmental disasters.

If the USDA is successful in neglecting valid science and deregulating plants by decree, this may result in the loss of pure food and our very lives could be at stake.

Geertson has tried to warn farmers about the adverse effects of GE products but the farm media, the most direct way to reach many farmers in his opinion, refuses to publish his articles. He believes that the reason for this is because the media collects big advertising fees from GE product producers so the publications don’t want to offend their source of income. Therefore, farmers are prevented from learning about GE products that can irreparably contaminate the environment, among other things. Mr. Geertson is writing an article for farmers about the negative aspects of RR alfalfa. It may be necessary for him to get the information to the farmers by paying for advertising, probably from paid donations.

(From MorphCity.com.)

More on Monsanto and GMOs

• The Trouble with Monsanto and GMO – David Suzuki spells it out
• Monsanto blocks research on GMO safety
• Monsanto employees in the halls of government
• Did the White House pressure USDA to approve GMO alfalfa?
• Mexico stands up to Monsanto – says no to GMO corn
• End of Organics? Monsanto’s GMO Alfalfa Approved
• Friday, the USDA quietly announced deregulation of Monsanto’s GMO sugarbeets
• Stonyfield Farm Takes a Swing at Monsanto (And the OCA)
• Too Much of a Bad Thing: Monsanto Did NOT Buy Blackwater
• Want to know more about GMOs? Watch “The World According to Monsanto”