Posted on 18-1-2002

Organic Farmers Sue GMO Giants
From www.saskorganic.com/oapf.htm

REGINA - A group of organic farmers in Saskatchewan is suing two
multinational companies that make genetically modified products: Monsanto
and Aventis.

The farmers say their fields are being invaded by genetically engineered
seeds planted by the companies. As a result, they can't guarantee their own
products are free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). "We have no
problem with their technology as long as they can segregate it and keep it
out of our fields and out of our system," says Arnold Taylor, president of
the Saskatchewan Organic Directorate.

SOD filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of all the certified organic
farmers in the province. "We are seeking damages for the loss of our canola
and of our market," says Taylor. The farmers say they can't sell their
organic product anywhere, especially to the European Union where strict
rules prohibit any GMOs from being present in any part of the process.

Monsanto introduced a genetically modified canola in 1996, one year after
Aventis introduced a similar product. Both canola plants have been modified
to be immune to the most widely used herbicide on the priairies. "Since
(the companies) started five, six years ago, it has been virtually
impossible to find any seed stock that's uncontaminated," says Taylor.
Taylor says drifting seeds have caused cross-pollination with organic seeds
and it has cost farmers millions of dollars.

This isn't the first time organic farmers and biotechnology companies have
gone to court. Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeiser lost his case against
Monsanto in April 2001. 'It's your seed, you are responsible for it and
it's on our land' He sued the company, claiming its GM canola seeds blew
onto his property. Schmeiser had been trying to keep his crop GMO-free. The
company countersued saying Schmeiser used their seeds. Taylor says SOD's
lawsuit is different. "We are saying 'It's your seed, you are responsible
for it. It's on our land and we want compensation for damages.'" Beyond
compensation, SOD is seeking an injunction to prevent Monsanto and Aventis
from planting modified wheat.

Monsanto is testing a genetically modified wheat and wants to release it
within two years. Taylor says that would be a disaster for all organic
farmers in the province. "We obviously cannot afford to lose wheat which is
our largest crop and biggest market."

The companies have not yet filed statements of defence and won't comment on
the claim.