Kansas farmer sues Monsanto over unapproved genetically modified wheat

[Divernan]

2. Rock-ribbed GOP Kansas jury versus major GOP lobbyist corporation

The most die hard Republicans I have ever met were Kansas farmers. But a trial with a jury composed of these good ole boys, featuring a fellow farmer versus a corporation which has lobbied/donated/bribed GOP politicians for decades? The cognitive dissonance will be massive, but in the tradition of rock-paper-scissors, the farmer will win hands down.

This is the kind of case in which Monsanto would want a non-disclosed settlement, but given the vast number of injured parties, non-disclosure agreements will not inhibit others from suing. There are 2.17 million farm operations in the US. Yes, there are large corporate farm operations, but the average farm size is 421 acres. The US is the world's largest agricultural exporter. And the corporate farms' profits will be hurt just as badly as the family farmers' when it comes to product bans on US crops imposed by other countries.

I'd say Monsanto is in for a world of hurt. This could evolve into the Mother of all class action lawsuits. And we all agree, I'm sure, that it couldn't happen to a more deserving corporation. As ye sow, so shall ye reap, Monsanto!

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-19/number-of-u-s-farms-fell-to-six-year-low-in-2012-usda-says-1-.html