Schmeiser vs Monsanto
Canadian Percy Schmeiser has been farming and developing his own crops of canola seed for the last fifty years. Five years ago, Monsanto alleged that Schmeiser had stolen some of their Genetically Engineered Canola – ROUNDUP READY – and initiated a legal David and Goliath battle, by suing the small-holding farmer. In court, Monsanto admitted Schmeiser didn’t steal the seeds. They got into his fields because his neighbours had been planting the GE crops. In other words, Percy’s 50 year old seed store had been contaminated. But, according to the Courts, it doesn’t matter HOW the seeds got there. The first court found AGAINST Schmeiser, saying that he was liable to pay Monsanto, simply because the seeds were THERE. Last Monday, this part of the legal battle ended with a decision from the Supreme Court of Canada. Their judgment is significant for non-GE farmers all over the world. Sharona Coutts spoke to Percy Schmeiser about the decision.