SJM welcomes Delhi HC order on patent for BT cotton seeds

The RSS-affiliated SJM today welcomed the Delhi High Court's order dismissing the US-based agro major Monsanto Technology's plea to enforce the patent for its BT cotton seeds in India, and demanded that the seed pack price now be brought down to Rs 700.

The High Court also ruled that Monsanto did not have a patent for its BT cotton seeds, a genetically modified variant which resists bollworms. And the Indian companies would pay trait fees to Monsanto according to government-set rates.

The court's order has upheld the efforts made by the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) to protect the rights of farmers and food security of the country, SJM's co-convener Ashwani Mahajan said in a statement.

"This judgement 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," Mahajan said, adding that SJM demands that in pursuant to this order the Agriculture Ministry modifies its earlier order.

In its order, the ministry had fixed the trait value at Rs 39 per packet of BT cotton seeds under the wrong impression that Monsanto possesses the patent over the seed, he said.

"This implies that after the proposed amendment the price of BT cotton seed packet would be brought down from Rs 740 to Rs 700," he said.