Growers for Biotechnology

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Growers for Biotechnology is a North Dakota, US-based lobby group that promotes the use of GM crops in farming.[1]

In March 2009 Growers for Biotechnology picked up the tab for Monsanto's controversial private dinner with lawmakers in Montana - after which, the lawmakers decided to shelve a bill that would have required Monsanto and other companies to get permission from a farmer before taking a sample from their crops.[2]

Such sampling, often done by the company's representatives without first notifying farmers or asking their permission, is highly controversial. It has often been the prelude for lawsuits launched by Monsanto against farmers for alleged patent infringement regarding the company's patented GM seeds.[3]

Notes

  1. Who We Are, Growers for Biotechnology website, accessed 17 July 2009
  2. Kahrin Deines, "Biotech seed bill tabled by Montana senators", Associated Press, 26 March 2009
  3. Press coverage of these cases has been widespread. The issues are summarised in the Sourcewatch article "Goliath and David: Monsanto's Legal Battles against Farmers", which provides links to other articles on the subject.