Monsanto evades liability for genetically modified crops by shifting blame to farmers.

Everybody's least favorite industrial-agriculture giant is at it again! Monsanto, with protection of State and Federal agencies, are forcing farmers to sign an agreement that transfers all liability to the farmer. Monsanto's "Technology/Stewardship Agreement", includes this little section, absolving Monsanto of sin.

"GROWER’S EXCLUSIVE LIMITED REMEDY: THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY OF THE GROWER AND THE LIMIT OF THE LIABILITY OF MONSANTO OR ANY SELLER FOR ANY AND ALL LOSSES, INJURY OR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OR HANDLING OF SEED (INCLUDING CLAIMS BASED IN CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE, PRODUCT LIABILITY, STRICT LIABILITY, TORT, OR OTHERWISE) SHALL BE THE PRICE PAID BY THE GROWER FOR THE QUANTITY OF THE SEED INVOLVED OR, AT THE ELECTION OF MONSANTO OR THE SEED SELLER, THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SEED. IN NO EVENT SHALL MONSANTO OR ANY SELLER BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, 
SPECIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES." 

And should the contract be terminated; "If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to such a notice, Grower’s responsibilities and the other terms herein shall survive (such as but not limited to Grower’s obligation to use Seed for a single commercial crop) as to Seed previously purchased by the Grower"

Page 2 of Monsanto's Technology/Stewardship Agreement

What this means is that should a farmer, growing Monsanto's genetically modified crops, experience any problems, incur any damages, or be faced with losses related to those crops, the farmer is now liable. Any problems related to Monsanto's crops are now officially not Monsanto's problem.

This coming from the company that continually blocks independent analysis of their GM crop products, sues farmers who neighbor fields planted with Monsanto product when they cross pollinate non-Monsanto crops, and who actively seek out and destroy seed saving and sharing operations. These kinds of predatory practices are worse the the banking industry. This company is blatantly forcing farmers to put a noose around their necks and swing. Where is our government? Where are the agencies who supposedly protect farmers rights? All in the pockets of the corporation, and that doesn't take any far fetched assumptions.

So what is happening with Monsanto product that makes it so dangerous that the company won't try to defend its products or its growers? Recently Monsanto's products have been linked to numerous livestock problems, most notably miscarriages of pregnant livestock. Now as a farmer, when your animals lose their young, you can't go after Monsanto, and are out the money for the animals, time, labor, and the dangerous feed crop you fed your stock. Moreover when the threats of GM crops begin to be apparent in humans and their direct food chain, Monsanto will have already covered its tracks and be completely untouchable. This is a dangerous situation for our agricultural industry to be forced into.

Read the Treehugger article here, and the Monsanto Technology/Stewardship Agreement here.

Support fair and reasonable business practices, buy local, buy organic, and if you buy seeds, track down the source so you don't find yourself with Monsanto product.