Brazilian farmers join patent claim against Bayer
July 29, 2019
German pharmaceutical company Bayer suffered a setback on Monday as a lawsuit gathered pace challenging the protection of a soy seed patent.
Bayer acquired US-based Monsanto last year as part of its crop science division but a group of agricultural workers in Brazil recently issued a writ against the German firm.
A Brasilia appeals court authorized producers from another 10 states to join Mato Grosso state farmers as plaintiffs in a case questioning the legality of Monsanto's Intacta RR2 PRO patent.
Nothing new
The Mato Grosso farmers sued Monsanto in late 2017 hoping to get the patent withdrawn, which they claim lacks technological innovations.
Sidney Pereira de Souza Jr, a lawyer representing the soy growers stated Brazilian farmers are "more organized" and want to know whether the technology they are buying is original.
Read more: US judge reduces $2 billion Roundup verdict against Bayer
A Bayer spokeswoman said the company would not comment on the latest ruling as it has not been formally notified of the decision.
jsi/aw (Reuters)
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