Victory for Indian Constitution and Indian Farmers

New Delhi, May 7, 2018: In a historic judgment Supreme Court upheld the Plant Variety Protection and Farmers’ Right Act (PPVFR), Patent Act and the earlier judgment of the Delhi High Court rejecting Monsanto’s Patents on Seeds.

Monsanto appealed to Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court DB Order on patentability of Bt Cotton A\and applicability of PPVFR Act to transgenic plant varieties. It came up for hearing today. The Hon'ble SC has declined to grant a stay on the Delhi DB Order or on revocation of patent either. Matter is posted for hearing on July. It proved that Monsanto and their associates are making false claim for the Bt. Cotton Seed Patent. Instead of taking IPR under PPVFR Act Monsanto took patent route to exercise monopoly. They licensed the Bt. Cotton transgenic varieties to many Indian companies in the name of patent. This is held wrong by HC. This will reduce royalties on Seed prices and give relief to farmers.

This judgment has exposed Monsanto's bluff about the patent right over Bt. Cotton seeds. The Court has denied Monsanto's patent over Bt. Cotton and asked them to apply for breeder's rights under Indian laws.

Dr. Vandana Shiva, Founder Director, Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology (RFSTE) said, “This is a great victory for the Indian Constitution, for India’s farmers and we all thank the Supreme Court for showing us the light and justice. Monsanto has illegally exploited over Rs 8000 crores from poor Indian farmers illegally, it is about time their company raj is over and Indian farmers are freed from the bonds of slavery and forced lagaans(land rent) that are firstly illegal as per Article 3 j of the Patent Act and PPVFR Act.”

“Monsanto’s lies and propaganda cannot fool India’s sovereign institution. We will not again be to the bio-imperialism and bullying of Monsanto. India is free, her farmers are free and we demand once the final order comes, Indian farmers should be compensated for their lives, for their fields and for the biopiracy of their seeds,” she said.