monsanto meets its match

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Monsanto Anti-Competitive Practices Have Finally Met Their Match

By Hartke | Published: August 24, 2009

War of the Titans: DuPont vs. Monsanto

The Washington Times exclusive, right below the masthead, headline

last Tuesday, August 18, 2009 was: Monsanto chief accuses rival DuPont

of deceit. Seems these bio-tech titans are suing and counter suing

each other over patent rights. Monsanto is accusing DuPont of lying

and smearing their name, and backing an anti-Monsanto “special

interest” group. DuPont is blasting Monsanto for their underhanded,

strong arm, anti-competitive practices.

The public affairs director for DuPont, Farina, in his

statement to the press about the flap, said this:

“DuPont along with other companies, farmers, non-profit groups and

government authorities are all active participants in the important

public discussion about competition in agriculture. Our response to

Monsanto’s latest lawsuit is part of the public record and speaks for

itself. It makes clear why Monsanto’s business practices are illegal

and why Monsanto’s anti-competitive business practices hurt farmers,

hurt consumers, and hurt independent seed companies. We will not try

these important issues through the media and we look forward to having

these issues decided in court — where Monsanto initiated this.”

Looks like Monsanto has made a fatal mistake, they finally are picking

on someone their own size, who is well equipped to take them on,

instead of small farmers with shallow pockets, and small seed cleaning

businesses with no resources to defend themselves.

Here is the rest of Farina’s statement:

“Many other organizations and individuals share our concerns,

including alarge group of state attorney general that continues to

investigate Monsanto’s business practices today. Monsanto has been

unable to persuade state attorneys general to drop the investigation

during the last year.

In addition, it appears the Obama Administration may also be

concerned. Just last week the U.S. Attorney General ( Holder) and

the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (Tom Vilsack) announced

unprecedented joint hearings to study competition in agriculture,

including seed traits.

We fully expect Monsanto to continue the campaign of diversion for as

long as they feel things are not going their way on the merits. We

received Monsanto’s letter — only after they provided the letter to

the media first — and we will respond to them in an appropriate

manner. ”

Here is a link to the Times

article:http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/aug/18/monsanto-chief-accuses-r\

ival-dupont-of-deceit/

.. This court battle will hopefully attract the attention it deserves,

and big bully Monsanto will have their malpractices stopped.

DuPont may be just the ally the sustainable agriculture proponents

have been looking for. An unlikely ally, but one we can be grateful

for. The future of American agriculture may depend on them winning

this case.

Please let us know, Mr. Farina, how our blog readers can bolster your

case. There are many stories around North America, where Monsanto

attorneys have chilled free enterprise with legal action. Many

consumers are very concerned, about the real threat Monsanto’s actions

pose to freedom, free enterprise, crop diversity, and the family farm.

Their intimidation of seed cleaners is among the more reprehensible.

The farm and ranch lifestyle has always been characterized by thrift.

To outlaw the saving of seeds is unconstitutional, and an abuse of our

frugal and prudent farmers. Maybe some of those consumers, farmers and

seed cleaners could write letters of support? Please advise.

Here is the link to the DuPont counter claim.

Search for the DuPont press release about the case, by this headline

in theDuPont Press Room:

DuPont Asserts Anti-Trust, Patent Claims Against Monsanto

http://hartkeisonline.com/2009/08/24/monsanto-anti-competitive-practices-have-fi\

nally-met-their-match/