Rock & Roll Farm

Tuesday! Mar 22 2005 // 1:55 pm //

Monsanto update

Monsanto won’t return to work on Roundup Ready wheat

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“Monsanto, the world leader in genetically modified grains, is pursuing fines and jail sentences for farmers who use their seed in noncontractual ways-such as saving it and sowing it the next season.” An article in Sojourners, compiled the following statistics from the Center for Food Safety report, “Monsanto vs. U.S. Farmers 2005”.

*500: The number of U.S. farmers under investigation annually by
Monsanto.

*$10 million: Monsanto’s annual budget (plus 75 staff) devoted to
investigating and prosecuting U.S. farmers.

*$15,253,602: The total recorded judgments granted to Monsanto for
farmer lawsuits.

*$3,052,800: The largest recorded judgment in favor of Monsanto as a
result of a farmer lawsuit.

*8 months: The prison sentence given to a Tennessee farmer convicted of
violating an agreement with Monsanto.

*90 the lawsuits filed against U.S. farmers in 25 states, involving 147
farmers and 39 small businesses or farm companies.

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aside: Sojourners, “a Christian ministry whose mission is to proclaim and practice the biblical call to integrate spiritual renewal and social justice,” is interesting to me on many levels. Especially considering the recent visit to the farm by eleven Loyola Chicago students. More on that experience later.