Why has Monsanto sued farmers who, by no fault of volition of their own, had their crops contaminated by GMO pollen blown into their fields?

Expert response from Kelly Clauss

Global Communications Strategy Lead, IT, Bayer Crop Science

Thursday, 15/08/2013 14:43

Monsanto has never sued a farmer when trace amounts of our patented seeds or traits were present in the farmer’s field as an accident or as a result of inadvertent means.  It is truly that simple, and we have publicly committed:

“It has never been, nor will it be, Monsanto’s policy to exercise its patent rights where trace amounts of our patented seeds or traits are present in a farmer’s fields as a result of inadvertent means.”

The misperception that Monsanto would sue a farmer if GM seed was accidentally in their field likely began with Percy Schmeiser, who was brought to court in Canada by Monsanto for illegally saving Roundup Ready canola seed.  Mr. Schmeiser claims to this day the presence of Monsanto’s technology in his fields was accidental – even though three separate court decisions, including one by the Canadian Supreme court, concluded his claims were false.