Canadian farmer's case against biotech giant heard by Supreme Court

Published: 2004-01-21

OTTAWA (CNS) -- A Canadian Catholic farmer said he was relieved that his Supreme Court battle against a biotechnology giant over genetically modified canola is nearly finished. Percy Schmeiser, 73, was ordered to pay Monsanto $172,000 (US$130,000) after the Federal Court of Appeal upheld a lower court ruling that he infringed on the company's patent rights when Monsanto's genetically modified canola plants were found on Schmeiser's farm in Bruno, Saskatchewan. Schmeiser said the seeds must have blown onto his fields from passing trucks or neighboring fields. The case was heard by Canada's Supreme Court Jan. 20. A ruling is expected by the spring. In 2001 the Federal Court of Appeal ruled that Schmeiser violated Monsanto's patent protection by using seed from its Roundup Ready canola -- designed as herbicide resistant -- without paying for it. Schmeiser, 73, said he and his wife spent almost half a century developing their own canola suitable for conditions in central Saskatchewan, but the crops were contaminated by Monsanto's seeds.

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