In perhaps the first case of its kind, a US farmer has been handed out a prison sentence for saving transgenic cotton seeds sold by Monsanto Company. The company prohibits growers using its products from employing the age-old practice of saving seeds from one crop to plant the next
In perhaps the first case of its kind, a US farmer has been handed out a prison sentence for saving transgenic cotton seeds sold by Monsanto Company. The company prohibits growers using its products from employing the age-old practice of saving seeds from one crop to plant the next.
A federal court in St Louis, Missouri, sentenced Kem Ralph, a Tennessee farmer, to eight months in prison for flouting the rule. This is the first criminal prosecution in Monsanto's drive against farmers violating purchase agreements.
Monsanto began marketing its patented seeds like genetically modified (GM) cotton in the 1990s. Called Roundup Ready, they were genetically tinkered to provide immunity to Monsanto's own herbicide -- Roundup. Therefore, farmers could spray the herbicide to kill weeds instead of plucking them out.
The company first discovered illegal GM cotton seeds in Ralph's fields in 2000. Besides the jail term, he will have to pay over US $1.7 million to Monsanto. The company has filed 73 civil lawsuits against farmers over the issue of patent and purchase agreement violations.
Farmers are allowed to save hybrid seeds for replanting though they can't sell them. However, GM seeds are patented and farmers using them are forced to make fresh purchases every year.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.