Producer/Host:Meredith DeFrancesco
Issue: Environmental and Social Justice
Program Topic: Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association et al v. Monsanto
Key Discussion Points:
a) A group of 75 family farms, seed businesses and agricultural organizations, representing 300,000 individuals, are appealing the dismissal of their suit to the US Court of Appeals.. In addition to the Maine based Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), and the Maine based seed company Fed Co are also part of the suit. The Public Patent Foundation is representing OSGATA et al.
b) The suit seeks protection for farmers from potential lawsuits by Monsanto, who has a history of targeting farms for patent infringement when their genetically modified seed contaminates non-GMO and organic farms. Since the mid 1990s, Monsanto has pursued 144 lawsuits, and has brought charges against at least 700 other farms who have settled out of court.
c) Farmers say, in addition to the threat of patent right violations, contamination damages their own livelihoods growing non-GMO and organic food.
Guests by name and affiliation:
A) Jim Gerritsen, Wood Prairie Farms, Bridgewater,ME www.woodprairie.com, and
president of Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, Washington, ME www.osgata.org , 207)809-7530 . Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) www.pubpat.org
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