Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: busy

Precedents in Trespassing

Recent cases have ruled that particulate matter, such as pesticides or pollen, can constitute illegal trespass if it damages crops. This means that organic farmers whose crops suffer from pesticide drift or GMO contamination can sue the people responsible for the damage.

It's about damn time.  If your neighbor's cows get into your field and ruin your crop, your neighbor is liable.  Same should hold for your neighbor's chemicals or pollen.  I hope Monsanto gets sued into oblivion, after all the harm they have done to farmers and other people.
Tags: activism, food, gardening, news, politics
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  • 4 comments
terrycloth

terrycloth

January 15 2012, 22:16:22 UTC 9 years ago

Won't it let Monsanto sue the farmers growing non GM crops for contaminating fields full of GM corn though? This kind of overreaching legal principle is only good for lawyers. And people who can afford to pay lawyers.
ysabetwordsmith

Well...

ysabetwordsmith

January 15 2012, 22:19:19 UTC 9 years ago

Monsanto has long made a habit of suing farmers for all kinds of things, most notably, having GMOs in their crops (due to pollen trespass) without having signed a contract for that. At least with this precedent, farmers can sue Monsanto back -- and the organic farmers can easily demonstrate loss of income.

Deleted comment

ysabetwordsmith

Good for you!

ysabetwordsmith

January 15 2012, 22:38:17 UTC 9 years ago

I encourage people to grow heritage varieties. The flavor is often better, and local adaptations are stronger too.

I particularly like the old 'chocolate' tomato varieties for making venison spaghetti sauce.
paradigmshifty

paradigmshifty

January 15 2012, 23:59:12 UTC 9 years ago

Not to mention the harm they've done to the planet.

Out of so very many contenders, Monsanto ranks as number 1 on my list of evil corporations.