The Brazilian Association of Soy Producers (APROSOJA) and the Brazilian Association of Non Genetically Modified Grain Producers (ABRANGE) consider engaging the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade), of the Ministry of Justice, against Monsanto. According to the two organizations, the U.S. company is restricting the access of farmers to conventional (non-GM) soybean seeds.

"They are imposing a sales ratio of 85% of GM seeds to 15% of conventional seeds. Seed production has to serve the market. You cannot monopolize or shape the market," complained the new president of APROSOJA, Glabuer Silveira.

The farming industry estimates that approximately 55% of the soybean seed planted in the country are genetically modified. Silveira said the problem is not the use of biotechnology but the withdrawal of the farmer’s option to plant conventional seed. "Monsanto has about 70% market share in Brazil. The problem is they don’t have the market but that they want to shape it. We are not taking the right option."

Some producers are afraid to become dependent on the U.S. company if GM seeds dominate the market since Monsanto is entitled to royalties on biotechnology supplied to them. "The seed producers say it's taxation by Monsanto. They are around us and by the end of the day they charge whatever they want, "says soy farmer Peter Riva, of Sorriso, Mato Grosso.

Silvio Munchalack, corn and soybean producer from Nova Mutum, also in Mato Grosso, says that until a few years ago he did not plant GM soybeans, but it is becoming increasingly difficult. "The Mato Grosso Foundation provides conventional seeds, but not for everyone. Now everything has to be GM," says the farmer, who last season managed to buy only 40% of conventional seeds out of the total planted on his property.

Besides the fear of future reliance on a single company, which has caused some producers to prefer planting conventional soybeans, is that they are becoming more profitable, primarily due to the premium European and Asian countries pay for this type of product.

The executive director of ABRANGE, Ricardo de Souza Tatesuzi, complains of abuse of economic power and lack of transparency in the collection of royalties. "The invoice does not show they are charging royalties. The patent law allows them to charge whatever they want."

Contacted by Agência Brasil, Monsanto said that the "information is unfounded."

Despite the denial, the president of APROSOJA said he will try to have one last discussion with the company. "Let's get an understanding. If that fails, we’ll go to Cade," he says, adding that the meeting needs to occur soon to have the matter resolved before the next harvest.

Edited by Juan Carlos Rodriguez

English Translation and highlighting courtesy of TraceConsult /