Subject: About Percy Schmeiser v. Monsanto
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 00:55:17 -0400
Who's Our "Man of the Hour" ?
Percy Schmeiser - The Gutsy Canadian Farmer Who Dares Take on Monsanto
Speaking in an overflowing auditorium October 21, Percy Schmeiser, a farmer and Mayor of Bruno, Saskatchewan, had the attention and sympathies of 250 concerned citizens at the Harbour Towers Hotel in Victoria. Accompanied by Lynn Hunter, ex-MP for the British Columbia New Democratic Party and presently a fish aquaculture specialist with the David Suzuki Foundation, he spoke to a hushed crowd of citizens brought together by C.A.S.E.S (the Citizens Action to Save the Environment Society). CASES is the one of the best known environmental groups in Victoria, headed by veteran activists Derek and Gwen Mallard.
Mr. Schmeiser's talk was at most revealing, shocking, and anything but comical as he described measures taken by Monsanto to bring legal action against him for allegedly growing a genetically modified canola crop without ever having purchased seed, nor signing a contract. A proud farmer of 40 years whose expertise grew out of life experience while picking up tips from the customers/farmers who frequented his day job as a farm equipment dealer, Percy was darned proud of his seed.
As he tells it, in 1948, Monsanto reps came out with DDT to control wild mustard weed abundantly growing on the Prairies. The reps said that it would kill all the weeds and that's the same line being used now. Monsanto adverts suggest to "Spray 'Roundup' just before harvest" to sell more wheat, peas, and barley. By spraying on low-lying areas and hills, Roundup causes the field to evenly ripen, but also kills the germination of next year's crop.
This year, Percy had to buy new seed to replace his contaminated 1400 hundred acres.
This fall, the Barley Grower's Association refused to buy barley sprayed with Roundup. Over 1/2 the countries worldwide won't buy genetically engineered Canola. Since the Canadian Government has allowed the growing of these crops, Schmeiser asks, "Why should these (other) farmers be penalized?" for the mistakes being made on neighbouring land.
And then there's the issue of the lawsuit. He states that not only did he never attend a meeting for the purpose of purchasing seeds from Monsanto, he never purchased seed, nor signed a contract (which would have occurred at the time of purchase). He hasn't even spoken to any of their reps.
Since the big M could not bring forth a hard-copy contract as proof, they have since abandoned the claim that Schmeiser signed a contract. What they are saying, however, is that anyone caught with their seed in their crop is guilty of infringing upon their patent. And this is how they're trying to get Schmeiser.
Monsanto advertizes that genetically altered canola can be sprayed. Mr. Schmeiser says that while it may be cheaper the first year, cross-pollination from the crop increases by 30% a year, meaning four to five times as much pesticide is needed to control weeds on subsequent crops. In the end, GE crops are no bargain for farmers, many of whom now fear for their livelihood, and some, like Schmeiser, fear for their lives. (He takes an armed guard with him while traveling in his truck.)
What takes place to encourage well-meaning farmers throughout North America to consider planting such a environmentally questionable crop in the first place? Farmers are first invited to a meeting attended by an array of high-pressure salesmen. They are then told something along the lines of, "We'll sell you the seed, you sign our contract, but you must sell the seed back to us and buy it again next year." There is a $15 "technology charge" to accompany the spiel, and for every year thereafter. After the farmer succumbs to purchase, the farmer must sign a contract stating that Monsanto has the right to tread upon their land for 3 years following to check on whether or not their seed is growing. This is done to avoid infractions and doesn't take into consideration occurances of cross-pollination. It should also be mentioned that Monsanto has the right not only to its patented seed technology, but legally owns the plants and profits from that crop. "It doesn't matter how genetically modified seed got on anybody's land," say Schmeiser, "...they say they have the gene. They have a patent on the gene. Now, they're trying to come in the back door. They have complete control over that plant, that seed. Monsanto says, 'It's ours...' We don't have rights left!"
In Saskatchewan and Alberta, if chemical spray from a neighbouring crop pollutes adjacent land, the farmer has the right to sue. But you can't sue for genetic pollution from a genetically engineered crop.
What if a farmer is caught with patented seed? If the farmer has the unlucky experience of getting caught, he or she is fined the dollar value of the crop, plus has to sign a trade non-disclosure agreement regarding the incident. Farmers are then told to keep quiet about the infraction.
But that deal works only one way: Monsanto's way. Having been caught with his seeds in the soil, one innocent and unsuspecting farmer was caught mixing leftover GM soybean seeds with next year's crop. Someone squealed on him. It cost him his $37,000 crop. After signing the trade non-disclosure agreement and being told to keep it quiet, he was more than a little surprised to hear his name mentioned two days later in a Monsanto radio ad threatening other farmers. The company had broadcast news of the infraction for the world to hear, although he was legally bound to keep his mouth shut. At this point, the farmer's hands are tied, but Monsanto can very publically say what they like about him.
How are these rogue farmers caught, you ask? For a time there, Monsanto had a 1-800 number in place to take calls from neighbouring farmers. Since an uproar occurred about that, they have since changed to encouraging farmers attending prospect meetings to tell on their neighbours, instead. In exchange for their telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth on their acquaintances, neighbours, and friends, Monsanto has sweetened the pot with a shiny, new, black-leather jacket. The line that accompanies the ploy goes something like, "he hasn't paid his $15 technology fee, so, you see, we're not playing on a level playing field..." Upon exchange of the info, the reward is handed out.
How do others get caught? Monsanto is said to have sent investigators onto farmers' land (without their knowledge or consent) to take a sample of the crop. One woman was surprised to see investigators at her door claiming she had stolen Monsanto's genetically altered canola seed. They desired to take a sample from her land. After being ordered off her property, a large flying entity is said to have come back a week later in the form of a helicotopter tanker distributing genetically polluted seed on her land. She didn't speak out.
What of cross-pollination? Mr. Schmeiser calls GE seeds genetic pollution and weeds that destroy other crops. "GE crops are a major, major weed we will never get rid of..." he says, "How do we get rid of it? How will we get rid of it?"
When Monsanto allows rightful use of their seed by farmers, their tactics seem anything but fair. In 1996-97, the canola really flew when Roundup Ready Canola that contained a rogue seed was sown on 65,000 acres of land. Although a massive recall took place, some farmers had already seeded. A dangerous gene can get out, but did it? Monsanto found out that one farmer had 1000's of bushels of this seed still in his possession, although a good amount had already been sown. They refuse to reveal what type of gene it contained, or why they were so concerned. "They've been very secretive about it."
And now for the kicker. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has had its funding dollars cut so they don't have the necessary resources to test GE seeds, or their potential affect on natural crops. Their decisions are being based solely upon data provided by the company.
If having chemically polluted food placed in your mouth against your will is not enough, ponder this: Says Schmeiser, "They want control of the seed supply...they get control of the food supply...you got control of the country." Now, Monsanto is moving into water. It's time we told our politicians that enough is enough and spoke out with our own financial voice. God knows they don't need any more of our dollars.
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You may support Percy Schmeiser's continuing battle against Monsanto by helping his legal defence. Please send your cheques and money orders to help with Percy's fight. Taking on a giant can get _tremendously_ expensive. A trust has been established at "Fight Genetically Altered Food Fund Inc." CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce), 603 Main St. Humboldt SK Canada SOK 2AO - Phone No. (306) 682-2614 His website may be found at: http://www.fightfrankenfoods.com
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Joanne Stephenson is a social and environmental activist, free-lance writer, creator of the online KIN International activist group, and the host of The Social Activist's Site for World Peace at http://www.inetex.com/joanne She has been actively involved in numerous online campaigns, and sends out a weekly newsletter. You may receive a copy of the newsletter by writing joanne@inetex.com