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Monsanto
vs Schmeiser The Classic David vs Goliath Struggle..... |
Schmeiser's wife takes on Monsanto
Louise Schmeiser
has filed papers with a small claims court in Humboldt seeking $140 in damages
from Monsanto.
Schmeiser says that is what it cost her to remove Monsanto's Roundup Ready
Canola plants from her organic garden
and nearby shelter belt.
"Monsanto said
that if anyone sprays Roundup on any plant and it doesn't die... they will come
and remove it," says
Percy Schmeiser, who is acting as Louise's legal counsel. "They failed to do
it."
Schmeiser says the case has been adjourned until next March to give Monsanto's lawyers time to prepare a defense.
Seven years ago,
Monsanto took Percy Schmeiser to court. The chemical giant said Schmeiser was
growing the company's
genetically modified canola without permission, and without paying for the right
to do so.
The Supreme Court
ruled that Monsanto's patent was valid, but Schmeiser was also victorious as he
did not have to pay
Monsanto's Technology Use Fee of $15./acre, profits, damages and Monsanto's
legal costs.
"The Supreme
Court ruled Monsanto owns and controls the gene, so the liability issue now
follows the flow of the gene,"
says Schmeiser. "Monsanto is totally liable for contamination and pollution of
anybody's field now."
Monsanto representatives refused to comment on the case.