
The Department of Justice website has released the transcript from the first agricultural workshop on concentration, that was held in Ankeny, Iowa on March 12th.
It’s downloadable only as a PDF: Full Transcript
The “Seed Competitive Dynamics Panel” begins on page 140 and runs for over 40 pages. This panel was heavily biased towards industry and a “nothing needs to be fixed other than maybe Monsanto granting a few more licenses to use their patented traits”. A Monsanto employee, a researcher funded by DuPont, a farmer who is a Monsanto seed producer, and a farmer who is a big fan of Monsanto gave a very very one sided view regarding competition. Neil Harl was the sole alternative voice, and as an academic did not so much challenge the other panelists as he did give history and education on patents. At future workshops DOJ-USDA need to have representation from independent seed companies on this panel. That is if they can find an independent seed dealer whose not afraid to disagree with Monsanto. There should also be representatives from NGOs/advocacy groups who represent farmers on this panel.