MarketNeutral
12th April 2010, 10:34 AM
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_20567.cfm
At least seven U.S. state attorneys general are investigating whether Monsanto Company has abused its market power to lock out competitors and raise prices on seed.
The states are probing whether Monsanto violated laws by offering rebates to seed distributors for excluding rival seeds, imposing limits on combining the product with other genetic modifications, or offering cash incentives to switch farmers to more expensive generation of seed varieties.
The state investigations add to pressure on Monsanto. The US Justice Department is investigating the company’s marketing practices, and DuPont Company has accused Monsanto of anti-competitive practices in licensing litigation.
At least seven U.S. state attorneys general are investigating whether Monsanto Company has abused its market power to lock out competitors and raise prices on seed.
The states are probing whether Monsanto violated laws by offering rebates to seed distributors for excluding rival seeds, imposing limits on combining the product with other genetic modifications, or offering cash incentives to switch farmers to more expensive generation of seed varieties.
The state investigations add to pressure on Monsanto. The US Justice Department is investigating the company’s marketing practices, and DuPont Company has accused Monsanto of anti-competitive practices in licensing litigation.