Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1998 12:51:47 -0600
From: "Renske van Staveren" <rvanstaveren-AT-iatp.org>
Subject: In Monsanto's own words...


This release refers specifically to US farmers, but the seed saving
implications (especially from Monsanto's strategic vantage point) go FAR
beyond US borders...

*************************************
ALERT! MONSANTO 'S OWN PRESS RELEASE INDICATES
HOW THE COMPANY CRACKS DOWN ON SEED SAVERS
*************************************
Below is a copy of a Monsanto press release, sent to agricultural extension
agents and other state officials in the U.S., outlining the company's
efforts to crack down on growers who allegedly violate the terms of its
contracts.

The document is below reproduced in full.  The details speak for
themselves, and the statement's tone speaks volumes about Monsanto's
long-range plans to make seed saving a crime.

Note that the abbreviation "Ill." refers to the state of Illinois, "Ky." is
Kentucky.

Brian Tokar
Institute for Social Ecology
Plainfield, Vermont, USA
and
The Edmonds Institute
Edmonds, Washington, USA

************************************
M O N S A N T O
Food - Health - Hope

MONSANTO COMPANY
800 NORTH LINDBERGH BOULEVARD
ST. LOUIS. MISSOURI 63167
PHONE (314) 694-1000
http://WWW.MONSANTO.COM

Release Immediately
Karen K. Marshall, (314-694-2882) karen.k.marshall-AT-monsanto.com
Jennifer O'Brien (1-800-666-1765) obrienj-AT-osbornbarr.com

MONSANTO RELEASES SEED PIRACY CASE SETTLEMENT DETAILS

ST. LOUIS (September 29) - In response to numerous requests from farmers
wanting to know details regarding those offenders caught illegally saving
and replanting seed containing patented technology, Monsanto Company today
announced the specifics of one of its seed piracy case settlements.

Following a recent seed piracy investigation, David Chaney of Reed, Ky.,
admitted to illegally saving and replanting Roundup Ready=AE soybeans. Chaney
also acknowledged that in return for other goods, he illegally traded the
pirated seed with neighbors and an area seed cleaner for the purpose of
replanting. All of those involved were implicated when Monsanto made the
discovery.

Chaney's settlement agreement terms include a $35,000 royalty payment as
well as full documentation confirming the disposal of his unlawful soybean
crop. Chaney, as well as the others involved, will make available all of
their soybean production records, including Farm Service Agency/ASCS
records, for Monsanto's inspection over the next five years. All of those
involved also will provide full access to all of their property, both owned
and leased, for inspections, collection and testing of soybean plants and
seed for the next five years.

Farmers in other states who unlawfully saved and replanted Monsanto's
patented seed also have discovered the company's stringent policy on seed
piracy. Other examples of monetary royalty terms include:

* A McCracken County, Ky., grower will pay $25,000 for illegally pirating
seed.

* A Ringgold County, Iowa, farmer paid a $16,000 royalty for his unlawful
actions.

* A father and son from Edwards County, Ill., settled with the company for
$15,000.

* An Ill. farmer from Christian County, will pay $10,000 for his illegal
actions.

Although royalty terms vary by case, all of these growers will undergo
on-site farm and record inspections for at least five years. Other actions
taken in 1998 include crop destruction and confiscation of seed. In each of
these cases, the royalty payment far exceeded any cost savings the farmer
could have gained from saving and replanting pirated seed.

Backed by U.S. patent law, Monsanto is vigorously pursuing growers who
pirate any brand or variety of its genetically enhanced seed, such as
Roundup Ready soybeans and cotton and Bollgard=AE cotton. The company has
hired full-time investigators to follow up on all seed piracy leads it
receives. To date, Monsanto has more than 475 seed piracy cases nationwide,
generated from over 1,800 leads. Currently, more than 250 of these cases
are under investigation in states including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida,
Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South
Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.

Scott Baucum, Monsanto's intellectual property protection manager, says the
vast majority of growers are honest businesspeople who do not pirate
patented biotech seed. "We are committed to maintaining a level playing
field for all growers," he says. Baucum also emphasizes the fact that seed
piracy is illegal even if a farmer did not sign an order/invoice statement
for the seed at the time of purchase. "For example, in David Chaney's case
neither of these items was signed, but Chaney's actions were unlawful
nonetheless."

Baucum says that when farmers illegally pirate patented biotech seed,
everyone loses. "Monsanto invests many years and millions of dollars in
biotechnology research to bring growers new technologies sooner rather than
later," he says. "When growers save and replant patented seed, there is
less incentive for companies to invest in future technologies that will
ultimately benefit farmers." These technologies include seed that produce
higher-yielding crops, drought-tolerant crops, crops that are protected
against corn rootworm damage, cyst-nematode protected soybeans and crops
with improved high value components, such as modified oil or bran.

Growers can talk with their ag chem retailer, seed dealer or Monsanto local
market manager for additional information regarding seed piracy. Or they
can call Monsanto directly by phoning 1-800-523-2333 in the South or
1-800-ROUNDUP in all other areas.

                # # #

Roundup Ready=AE and Bollgard=AE are registered trademarks of Monsanto Company.

***********************************************
This material was originally distributed by Brian Tokar who teaches at the
Institute for Social Ecology, at Goddard College in Vermont. Brian, a
well-known author and critic, is also a member of the board of directors of
the Edmonds Institute.
=09
__________________________________________
Ms. Renske van Staveren, Coordinator
International Forum on Food & Agriculture (IFA)
c/o Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP)=09
2105 First Avenue South				=09
Minneapolis, MN, USA  55404-2505	=09
ph: 612-870-3423       fax: 612-870-4846
<rvanstaveren-AT-iatp.org>		=09
http://www.iffah.org				=09
__________________________________________
"When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. 
When I ask why the poor have no food,
they call me a communist." - Dom Hélder C=E2mara