Question
Are big companies are forcing farmers to grow GMOs? -- Submitted as Part of GMO Answers Top Consumer Questions Survey --
Submitted by: Community Manager
Answer
Expert response from Brian Scott
Farmer
Tuesday, 01/04/2014 18:25
None of the seed companies force farmers like me to buy any particular product. Salespeople might push the latest and greatest, but since every farm operates a little bit differently from the next one, seed choice is very important. All the companies that sell GMO seed also have many non-GMO varieties available. I can buy any seed from any vendor I choose from one year to the next. Just because I bought Monsanto, Pioneer or Syngenta seeds one year doesn’t mean I have to buy seed from any one of them the following year. Farmers do sign technology use agreements in relation to patented products, but nothing in the contracts designates a requirement for future purchases or even purchases of other products during the growing season.
Answer
Expert response from Community Manager
Moderator for GMOAnswers.com
Wednesday, 06/05/2015 11:46
In the video below Jacque Matsen, Public Affairs Manager at DuPont Pioneer, discusses the variety of seed options available to farmers.
Video: GMO Answers at SXSW