MMB files writ against CSPCO
Bengaluru: March 25, 2016, DHNS
Mahyco Monsanto Biotech (MMB), a 50:50 joint venture between Mahyco and Monsanto Holdings, has filed a writ petition before the High Court of Delhi against certain provisions of the Cotton Seeds Price (Control) Order dated December 7, 2015 (CSPCO).
The MMB in a statement noted that CSPCO seeks to regulate the licensing of cotton seed technology. Such regulation, besides being contrary to various laws, was also against the long-term interests of farmers and the government’s admirable vision to promote ease of doing business and innovation. MMB brought to the notice of the Delhi High Court that the High Court of Karnataka had passed some interim orders on a petition filed by the industry body Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) and Namdhari Seeds. The Delhi High Court has indicated that this matter will be heard further on April 7, 2016.
MMB spokesperson said “We remain confident in the merits of our legal claims and are optimistic that the government will take into account arguments that will result in an outcome that will continue to encourage innovation in Indian agriculture.”
MMB has sub-licensed the Bollgard technologies to 45 plus Indian seed companies each of whom have introduced the Bollgard technology into their own germplasm.
The Bollgard technology has been widely accepted by India’s cotton farmers and has played a pivotal role in increasing cotton yields from 302 kg/hectare lint in 2002-03 to 552 kg/hectare lint in 2013-14. The low technology fees represents only 1-2% of the total cost of cultivation for the farmers.
The MMB in a statement noted that CSPCO seeks to regulate the licensing of cotton seed technology. Such regulation, besides being contrary to various laws, was also against the long-term interests of farmers and the government’s admirable vision to promote ease of doing business and innovation. MMB brought to the notice of the Delhi High Court that the High Court of Karnataka had passed some interim orders on a petition filed by the industry body Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) and Namdhari Seeds. The Delhi High Court has indicated that this matter will be heard further on April 7, 2016.
MMB spokesperson said “We remain confident in the merits of our legal claims and are optimistic that the government will take into account arguments that will result in an outcome that will continue to encourage innovation in Indian agriculture.”
MMB has sub-licensed the Bollgard technologies to 45 plus Indian seed companies each of whom have introduced the Bollgard technology into their own germplasm.
The Bollgard technology has been widely accepted by India’s cotton farmers and has played a pivotal role in increasing cotton yields from 302 kg/hectare lint in 2002-03 to 552 kg/hectare lint in 2013-14. The low technology fees represents only 1-2% of the total cost of cultivation for the farmers.
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