Court dismisses Monsanto lawsuit
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought against agri-giant Monsanto Corp. by the Maine-based Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association that sought to protect farmers against legal challenges by Monsanto, according to a press release from the plaintiff.
OSGATA, the lead plaintiff, brought the suit against Monsanto to protect farmers from lawsuits from Monsanto related to its seed patents, according to the release from Jim Gerritsen, president of OSGATA and owner of Wood Prairie Farm in Bridgewater. The suit claimed farmers are vulnerable to legal action from Monsanto if their seeds are found on a farmer's land without a contract, but contended that many farmers do not intend to have or grow Monsanto patented seeds, and that seeds and pollen from genetically engineered crops can contaminate neighboring fields. OSGATA and 80 agricultural groups filed the suit in March 2011, according to the Portland Press Herald.
The plaintiffs have not yet decided if they will appeal the decision to the Court of Appeals, according to the release.
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