Positive News US is a free, not for profit newspaper published four times a year in Ithaca, NY. We report on successful projects around the world in the areas of sustainability, social equality, education and happiness, with a clear message that "another world is possible."
more...
| a part of Positive News International |
Small Farmer's Victory for the World |
Percy Schmeiser in his field of canola.
CANADA - After a ten year long David and Goliath battle, Canadian farmer Percy Schmeiser has finally won damages from Monsanto in an out-of-court settlement.
The agrochemical company took Percy to court for growing 'their' genetically modified (GM) canola - the yellow blossomed plant, known as Canadian rapeseed - without paying them. However, he never wanted to grow any genetically modified crops in the first place. Quite the reverse. Much to his distress, the unwanted seed blew onto his farm and seeded itself.
Over the years Percy Schmeiser has become something of a hero for standing up to the huge multinational. Now they have agreed to pay him 660 dollars to cover all the costs of cleaning up the contamination. This may not be much compensation but the principle has now been established that modified crops can contaminate organic and conventional farms. Furthermore, the companies that are actually promoting the stuff can be held responsible.
Last year, Percy and his wife Louise won the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize'. The Jury honoured the Schmeisers "for their courage in defending biodiversity and farmers' rights and for challenging the environmental and moral perversity of current interpretations of patent laws... Percy and Louise have given the world a wake-up call about the dangers to farmers and biodiversity everywhere from the growing dominance and market aggression of those companies engaged in the genetic engineering of crops."
Percy believes that this precedent-setting agreement ensures that farmers will be entitled to reimbursement when their fields become contaminated with unwanted ‘Roundup Ready' canola or indeed, any other unwanted genetically modified plants.
The agrochemical company took Percy to court for growing 'their' genetically modified (GM) canola - the yellow blossomed plant, known as Canadian rapeseed - without paying them. However, he never wanted to grow any genetically modified crops in the first place. Quite the reverse. Much to his distress, the unwanted seed blew onto his farm and seeded itself.
Over the years Percy Schmeiser has become something of a hero for standing up to the huge multinational. Now they have agreed to pay him 660 dollars to cover all the costs of cleaning up the contamination. This may not be much compensation but the principle has now been established that modified crops can contaminate organic and conventional farms. Furthermore, the companies that are actually promoting the stuff can be held responsible.
Last year, Percy and his wife Louise won the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize'. The Jury honoured the Schmeisers "for their courage in defending biodiversity and farmers' rights and for challenging the environmental and moral perversity of current interpretations of patent laws... Percy and Louise have given the world a wake-up call about the dangers to farmers and biodiversity everywhere from the growing dominance and market aggression of those companies engaged in the genetic engineering of crops."
Percy believes that this precedent-setting agreement ensures that farmers will be entitled to reimbursement when their fields become contaminated with unwanted ‘Roundup Ready' canola or indeed, any other unwanted genetically modified plants.
Contact:
Fight Genetically Altered Food Fund Inc.
Box 3743, Humboldt,
Saskatchewan Canada S0K 2A0
www.percyschmeiser.com
Story from Positive News UK
