By Cassandra Anderson
Farmers like genetically modified (GM) crops because they can plant them, spray them with herbicide and then there is very little maintenance until harvest. Farmers who plant Monsanto’s GM crops probably don’t realize what they bargain for when they sign the Monsanto Technology Stewardship Agreement contract. One farmer reportedly ‘went crazy’ when he discovered the scope of the contract because it transfers ALL liability to the farmer or grower.
Here is the paragraph that defines Monsanto’s limit of liability that shifts it to the farmer:
“GROWER’S EXCLUSIVE LIMITED REMEDY: THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY OF THE GROWER AND THE LIMIT OF THE LIABILITY OF MONSANTO OR ANY SELLER FOR ANY AND ALL LOSSES, INJURY OR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OR HANDLING OF SEED (INCLUDING CLAIMS BASED IN CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE, PRODUCT LIABILITY, STRICT LIABILITY, TORT, OR OTHERWISE) SHALL BE THE PRICE PAID BY THE GROWER FOR THE QUANTITY OF THE SEED INVOLVED OR, AT THE ELECTION OF MONSANTO OR THE SEED SELLER, THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SEED. IN NO EVENT SHALL MONSANTO OR ANY SELLER BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES.”
G. Edward Griffin, author of ‘The Creature From Jekyll Island’, and numerous other books and documentary films, and Anthony Patchett, retired assistant Head Deputy District Attorney, Los Angeles County Environmental Crimes/ OSHA Division explain the consequences of the Monsanto contract in the video below.
Monsanto’s Technology Stewardship Agreement shifts responsibility to growers for any and all losses, injury or damages resulting from the use of Monsanto seeds. There is no expiration date on the contract. The grower may terminate the contract, but: “Grower’s responsibilities and the other terms herein shall survive…”
This includes contamination of other farms. Growers are purchasing seed for Spring planting right now. Alfalfa, America’s 4th largest crop, is a particular problem because it is a perennial plant and the seeds may lie dormant in the ground for 10-20 years, and WILL contaminate non-GM plants. Contaminated alfalfa cannot be recalled from the environment. The liability burden can follow the grower for decades. Farmers must be made aware of the danger of being sued before they plant GM crops (especially alfalfa because it is used for cattle feed and will affect dairy farmers).
Currently, Australian organic farmer Steve Marsh, who lost his organic certification due to contamination, is suing his GM crop-growing neighbor for the GM contamination.
Contamination of processing equipment is another risk.
There is evidence from India that GM crops are linked to livestock deaths. The Monsanto Technology Stewardship Agreement contract holds growers responsible for injuries, so this is another potential consequence for farmers planting Monsanto GM crops to consider.
The Monsanto Technology Stewardship Agreement has another clause that farmers will find disturbing: it appears that the growers agree that in order to sell their farm, the new purchaser must also sign a Monsanto Technology Stewardship Agreement. According to a top real estate broker, the contract places a covenant, condition or restriction (CCR) on the farmer’s land:
“GROWER AGREES: To accept and continue the obligations of this Monsanto Technology/Stewardship Agreement on any new land purchased or leased by Grower that has Seed planted on it by a previous owner or possessor of the land; and to notify in writing purchasers or lessees of land owned by Grower that has Seed planted on it that the Monsanto Technology is subject to this Monsanto Technology/Stewardship Agreement and they must have or obtain their own Monsanto Technology/Stewardship Agreement.”
Environmental attorney Anthony Patchett further elaborated on Monsanto’s contract in a letter that states “Monsanto’s agreement shifts all liability to the growers, including contamination issues or any potential future liability. All the grower receives is the price of the seed.” He further stated that this contract appears to be “Unconscionable”. Click here to view the letter.
For more information about the perils of contamination, please go to MorphCity.com to read the interview with alfalfa seed grower Phil Geertson who opposed Monsanto in the GM case heard in the Supreme Court last summer. Geertson said that Monsanto’s GM seeds are more expensive and after a few years, weeds can become tolerant to Roundup Ready and other glyphosate herbicides so farmers must return to conventional farming practices anyway. Therefore, there is no benefit to planting GM crops.
You can alert farmers to the hazard of growing GM crops and how growers can be hurt by Monsanto’s contract, if you would like to take action in opposing GM crops. Please share this article and video.
© 2011 Cassandra Anderson
Tags: agriculture, cassandra anderson, Farm Wars, farming, food, GMO, land lien, liability, monsanto, technology use agreement
It used to be illegal to patent any living thing, now I see why.
This whole biotech thing is slow motion train wreck and everyone who eats is involved. I encourage you to call the 1-800 number on the back of your favorite products and express your ‘questions and concerns’ about genetically damaged ingredients. Write a letter to your political representatives too, they need to know what is going on and WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO DO ABOUT IT. The steady drop of water wears away the stone, humanity must win this one and with your help we will.
Take action. Take action now.
Some Farmers are progressive minded, meaning some are willing to try new agricultural things, probably in the hopes of helping Humanity…or scoring a big profit. These fall prey to Monsanto propaganda and they become ensnared.
Other Farmers, maybe a more Conservative type, have enough common sense to see consequences beyond the lure of windfall profits and Monsanto lies and either stick to the tried and true hybrids, or actually go back to Heirloom Seed and crops…as part of the Organic Farming Movement.
What gets me, is that a powerful, (intelligent) corporation like Monsanto, chooses to do harmful things to Humanity and Our Planet, when they just as easily could do good. What is behind their harmful actions? What darkness are they choosing to be a part of? Are they choosing? Or are they too, trapped by the darkness?
When are “WE The People” going to put a stop to corporations like Monsanto? We are the only ones that can.
Why are farmers getting into bed with Monsanto? Why hasn’t Monsanto been erradicated from American Culture?
Why are they allowed to get away with this Terriorist action? Why can they rape us farmers for all we are worth?
Why have our elected officials, sided against us?
This is probably a good thing! Now hopefully the farmers will realize MonSatan’s evil scheme. Any farmer that signs up for this will be essentially toast!
God Bless You Farmers,
Monsanto is a hideous, greedy company that wishes to 100% own farmers, telling what to plant and how to plant it and telling them that they must assume 100% of any liability.
This makes it impossible for farmers to sign off on deals with Monsanto because they will be financially liable for anything that goes wrong (and it will because Monsanto seeds are untested and shown to be dangerous) plus the farmer will not be able to sell his farm.
What a mess!!! Farmers, just remember that we, the American consumers, are 100% behind you and will do whatever we can to protect your rights. Again, God Bless You All.