Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

polly7

(20,582 posts)
Thu May 5, 2016, 06:28 PM May 2016

Monsanto Set To Fight Argentina Over “Royalties” Owed By Farmers

By Brandon Turbeville
Mint Press News
Thursday, May 5, 2016

Monsanto has been demanding that exporters inspect cargo to determine whether or not farmers had paid the requisite royalties to produce the company’s genetically modified soybeans.

While the Argentine government has recently shown signs that it may take the side of farmers over Monsanto, the international agricultural corporation is not willing to simply accept defeat. Nor is it even willing to accept a minor obstacle in its attempt to dominate the food supply.

Shortly after the government of President Mauricio Macri passed a resolution officially giving control of the analysis of seeds, Monsanto is now set to challenge the Argentine government’s decision.While the Argentine government has agreed to collect monies owed by small farmers in royalties on genetically modified soybean seeds, the government requested additional time to do so. Even this, however, was unacceptable to Monsanto as the corporation rejected the government’s request according to two unnamed Monsanto staff members cited by Bloomberg News.

As a result, Ricardo Buryaile, the Agricultural Minister and members of his staff have met with representatives of Monsanto and Chief Operation Officer Brett Begemann to request a waiver on the owed royalties.

Monsanto rejected that waiver request but did agree to slash the royalties being demanded from fifteen dollars per hectare to nine dollars per hectare for growers who use Monsanto technology but who do not actually purchase the seeds directly from Monsanto itself.

Both Monsanto and the government did agree that large soybean producers must pay royalties. Interestingly enough, Monsanto’s stock rose three percent on the heels of this announcement. The stock had declined seven percent this year.

The issue surrounds the fact that Monsanto has been demanding that exporters inspect cargo to determine whether or not farmers had paid the requisite royalties to produce the company’s genetically modified soybeans. Monsanto is claiming that Argentine farmers have benefited immensely from the Intacta technology and is demanding that everyone pay to use it.



A demonstrator wearing as Guy Fawkes mask holds a sign that reads in Spanish “Get out Monsanto from Argentina” near the offices of the U.S.-based company Monsanto in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Full article: http://axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/Article_73915.shtml
2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Monsanto Set To Fight Argentina Over “Royalties” Owed By Farmers (Original Post) polly7 May 2016 OP
Related. proverbialwisdom May 2016 #1
Hillary is tight with Monsanto - Bernie supports organic farming Baobab May 2016 #2
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Editorials & Other Articles»Monsanto Set To Fight Arg...