several items shortened:
1.Public Hearing on BT Cotton
2.PM will take up farmers' cause with Monsanto chief
3.Gujarat may also drag Monsanto to Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission 4.Monsanto to introduce 20 new hybrid cotton seeds
COMMENT
Note how Monsanto plans to keep India's farmers on the GM treadmill - item 4. This season's problems will be solved by next season's new varieties.
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1.Public Hearing on BT Cotton
Andhra Cafe, 23 January 2006
http://www.andhracafe.com/index.php?m=show&id=3454
The panel of the public hearing on Bt Cotton was organised by Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) in the city. The panel recommended the immediate cancellation of the marketing licence of the company and pro-active enforcement of regulations.
It also marked the problems with Bt Cotton and economic losses suffered by farmers. The panel further disagrees with the State Government's decision to drag the Mahyco-Monsanto to Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC) to solve the problem
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2.PM assures YSR he will take up farmers' cause with Monsanto chief
http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=92866
Rajiv Nagar, Hyderabad, Jan 23: Andhra Pradesh
Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy today said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had assured the state government that he would take up the cause of the cotton farmers with the Monsanto Company Chairman.
''On knowing that the Monsanto chairman was going to meet the Prime Minister, I and Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had met Dr Singh and represented to him that cotton growers of the state were being exploited by the US seed major,'' he told mediapersons here.
The Minister said that the US company, which was collecting Rs 34 in China and Rs 108 in America as royalties as it had patent rights, was collecting Rs 1200 in India though it did not have patent rights here. He said the state government had urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the farmers interests were protected.
''Dr Singh assured us that he was with the cause of the farmers and would discuss the matter with Monsanto Chairman when the latter met him in the next few days,'' he said.
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3.Gujarat may also drag Monsanto to MRTP - Sees a strong case for the US firm to cut seed prices
G. Chandrashekhar
Surendranagar (Gujarat) , Jan. 23
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/01/24/stories/2006012401481200.htm
FOR Monsanto fresh trouble could be brewing from another State, apart from Andhra Pradesh.
The Gujarat Government is examining the recent case against the life sciences major for charging high price for its genetically modified cottonseed (Bt cotton).
"We are closely following the Andhra Pradesh Government move and shall take a matured decision," said Mr Bhupendersinh Chudasama, the State Minister for Agriculture.
He was addressing the all-India cotton trade conference here on Sunday.
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4.Monsanto to introduce 20 new hybrid cotton seeds
Dilip Kumar Jha / Mumbai January 24, 2006
http://www.business-standard.com/smartinvestor/storypage.php?leftnm=lmnu6&leftindx=6&lselect=10&chklogin=N&autono=212647
Monsanto India Ltd, the leading provider of agricultural products and solutions, is planning to roll out 20 new hybrids of BT cotton seeds. The company has presently 20 hybrids of such seeds in the country.
"We are confident of achieving our target shortly," said Felipe Osorio, managing director, Monsanto India. Monsanto is also expanding its corn business by setting up a new plant near Hyderabad.
The plant would start production in 12-18 months. "We supply corn seeds not only to the Indian market but also to the Asia Pacific markets," said Felipe.
"There should not be any political intervention as the large chunk of GDP depends on it. Secondly, about 70 per cent of the population depends on farming and most of them want multiplied output," Felipe added.
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