Letter: GM crops on trial
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: In your article, "Monsanto legal move sparks civil rights row" (9 April), you claim that the Prime Minister and the Prince of Wales "could soon receive legal notices from Monsanto". This is far fetched.
In July 1998 Monsanto was granted an injunction preventing members of Genetix Snowball from damaging our property, or encouraging others to do so.
In December 1998 Genetix Snowball published a Handbook for Action describing how to uproot GM crops at trial sites around the UK and encouraging readers to take action. The handbook and other material encouraging the uprooting of GM crops and other unlawful acts is also published on Genetix Snowball's website.
As a result, if someone reads the handbook or accesses the website and takes action in support of Genetix Snowball, then those group members responsible for encouraging such unlawful activity are likely to face further action by damaging Monsanto's property.
Of course, anyone who simply reads the handbook but takes no unlawful action against Monsanto's property need not fear being sued or prosecuted. Astonishingly, this means that only people who break the law will face legal action!
We are also far from interested in who has or has not read this book. But we have a duty to ensure that everyone who receives or accesses the handbook also receives, or is able to access, a copy of any relevant current Court Order.
Many of the questions that are being asked about GM crops can be best answered through field trial data. Sadly, organisations like Genetix Snowball seem intent on denying others those answers.
DAN VERAKIS
Monsanto plc
London W1
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments