May 13, 2005
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2005
REGINA -- The effort of Saskatchewan organic
farmers to launch a class-action lawsuit against Monsanto Canada and
Bayer CropScience were quashed in a court ruling released this week.
The farmers initiated the court action in 2002, arguing they had
suffered damages as a result of the development and commercial
introduction of genetically modified canola. They were in a Saskatoon
courtroom last November in a bid to have their case certified as a
class action.
However, Justice Gene Anne Smith's 179-page written ruling released
this week denied the application for certification as a class action.
"We've put a lot of time and money and effort, three years, into
this class action. There's a little frustration there," said Arnold
Taylor, president of the Saskatchewan Organic Directorate, which
supported the legal action.
But Taylor said the ruling is just a "skirmish" in a bigger battle.
"The situation hasn't changed despite the judgment. I can't seed
organic canola, because for one thing you wouldn't be able to find seed
that's not contaminated by GMOs."
Terry Zakreski, lawyer for the farmers, said he was still digesting
the ruling and would need to discuss possible next steps with his
clients. Two farmers' names were put forward in the suit, with the
proposed class comprised of all certified organic grain farmers in
Saskatchewan.
Trish Jordan, spokesperson for Monsanto Canada, called the decision a "convincing win."
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