2013-04-08 | permalink

”Monsanto Protection Act” - U.S. Big Agriculture flexes its muscle

In no uncertain terms, the amendment tells the secretary how he must respond the next time a court order challenges one of Monsanto’s genetically modified seeds for which the St. Louis-based giant is a pioneer in commercializing. The real life impact is unclear as the underlying spending bill expires Sept. 30. But Monsanto gets a foot in the door toward mandating some type of stewardship program under which farmers can continue to plant its seeds as the court fight continues. The language is unusually strong: the secretary “shall, notwithstanding any other provision of law… immediately grant” temporary permits to continue using the seed at the request of a farmer or producer wanting such a stewardship program.

• Politico, USA: Big Agriculture flexes its muscle
• Democracy Now!, USA: The Monsanto Protection Act? A debate on controversial new measure over genetically modified crops