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Monsanto "hoodlum-like" says Argentine government (19/3/2005)

Even in a country as apparently intent as Argentina on heading down the biotech route regardless, they're in little doubt as to the kind of industry they're dealing with:

"Monsanto persists in its hoodlum-like attitude, one which stands afar from normal business practices,"
The Agriculture Secretariat of Argentina

They should certainly know by now:
*Monsanto threatened Argentina (14/7/2004)
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=4136
*Monsanto strong-arming Argentina - again! (28/10/2003)
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=1660

And if this is how Monsanto deals with the likes of Argentina - one of the world's agricultural giants, one can imagine how poorer countries are likely to fare at the hands of the biotech bullies.
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Argentina slams Monsanto for "attitude" on GMO royalties
Taos Turner
Dow Jones Newswires, March 17, 2005

BUENOS AIRES -The Argentine government late Wednesday was cited as slamming U.S.-based biotechnology giant Monsanto Co. for having a "hoodlum-like attitude" in its effort to ensure that local farmers pay royalties for using genetically modified soybean seeds designed by the company.

The story explains that Monsanto has had trouble collecting royalties since the seeds were introduced here in 1996. In a renewed collection effort, Monsanto recently began telling exporters that it would impose a $15-per-metric-ton fee on soybean exports.

If exporters decline to pay the fee, they will face the prospect of being sued in the courts of European countries that import Argentine soybeans,
Monsanto says.

Monsanto says it has the legal right to collect royalties on Argentine exports when they reach the ports of countries that recognize the company's seed patent.

Monsanto does not have a patent on the seeds, known as Roundup Ready soy, in Argentina. The Agriculture Secretariat was quoted as saying in a statement late Wednesday that, "Unfortunately, and despite all the meetings and conversations we've had while trying to come up with a legal framework for the sale of seeds, Monsanto persists in its hoodlum-like attitude, one which stands afar from normal business practices," and that it would not tolerate Monsanto's "bravado."

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