Monsanto Focus of Antitrust Investigation

(AP)  The Justice Department is investigating whether Monsanto Co. violated antitrust rules in trying to expand its dominance of the market for genetically engineered crops.

Monsanto has provided interviews and documents to the Justice Department over the past two months, company spokesman Lee Quarles said. He said the department has questioned Monsanto about its marketing tactics in the biotech seed industry, which have become a target of criticism.

Quarles said Monsanto has done nothing illegal and is cooperating with the department.

"We definitely stand behind our business," he said.

At issue is how the world's largest seed company sells and licenses its patented genes. Monsanto has licensing agreements with seed companies that let those companies insert Monsanto genes into about 96 percent of U.S. soybean crops and 80 percent of all corn crops.

Monsanto's rivals allege that the company uses the licensing agreements to squeeze competitors and control smaller seed companies - an allegation Monsanto denies.

The inquiry into St. Louis-based Monsanto is part of a previously announced Justice Department investigation of consolidation in the seed industry.

A department spokeswoman declined to confirm or deny the investigation. But the department has interviewed two of Monsanto's biggest rivals, Delaware-based DuPont and Swiss biotech firm Syngenta AG, about Monsanto's business practices. Both companies said they are cooperating with the probe.

At least two states, Iowa and Texas, are conducting their own antitrust investigations of Monsanto. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller is investigating Monsanto's marketing practices, said Eric Tabor, Miller's chief of staff. Tabor declined to comment further.

And Texas is conducting its own inquiry, according to two people with direct knowledge of the investigation.

Quarles said Monsanto is cooperating with both states.

Syngenta and DuPont have sued Monsanto over the licensing agreements, alleging they violate U.S. antitrust law. Syngenta filed its lawsuit in 2004 and settled the case last year. DuPont filed suit last summer; the case is pending in federal court in St. Louis.

DuPont spokesman Dan Turner and Syngenta spokesman Paul Minehart declined to comment beyond saying the companies are cooperating with the Justice Department investigation.

[johnrusselll]

They added a gene from Bacillus Thuringiensis into corn, soy, cotton-seed and canola. These genetically modified foods make the Bt-toxin that can cause high blood pressure, diabetes and loss of memory. By avoiding their genetically modified foods, I no longer take medication for diabetes and I no longer take a large dose of atenolol for high blood pressure. The problem these days is finding foods made without these genetically modified foods. For more information, Read "Seeds of Deception" by Jeffrey M. Smith.

[sjc_1]

I remember StarLink corn, it was made to be animal feed and not be used in food products. Farmers planted it, the wind blew and pollen got into other fields, so now corn that is not suppose to be StarLink is. What did the corporations do? They sued the farmers for not paying patent rights on the non StarLink corn that was cross pollinated.

[brianbwb-2009]

And let us not forget the "terminator" seed, that aggressively pollinates other farmers crops, and produces harvests that are sterile, so that a portion cannot be set aside to be used for the next year's planting.

[brianbwb-2009]

And let us not forget the "terminator" seed, that aggressively pollinates other farmers crops, and produces harvests that are sterile, so that a portion cannot be set aside to be used for the next year's planting.

[stn_sage]

My question is: what is the Justice Department prepared to do if/when they verify that Monsanto HAS violated numerous laws?!

Are they going to take ACTION against Monsanto? Or, is some 'behind the scenes' payoff going to occur, followed by a bunch of double-talk about how they are 'too big to prosecute', and then the case is dropped?!

Because if that is ALL this is about: a little 'grand-standing for the publicity', followed by a payoff or two for the retirement account, THEN just forget the whole thing and don't waste the time!

[antoniof123]

Quarles said Monsanto has done nothing illegal and is cooperating with the department.

Famous last words we are not crooks!