BRAZIL SUPPORTS ROYALTIES ON SOYABEAN
Brazil, the world's second largest grower of soyabean after the United States, might have to shell out more than imagined. The Brazilian government has asked its farmers to pay seed manufacturers, especially Monsanto, for using their genetically modified soyabean seed. Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture said that the payment of royalties for the use of technology is 'an undeniable right' and should be adhered to. Monsanto has been trying to collect royalties on the seed, most of which is sold through the black markets of Argentina. The company has also signed an agreement with soya producers in south Brazil under which farmers who use modified soya to withstand the Roundup herbicide will pay one per cent of the sales earned on the crop being harvested and two per cent of the sales of the fall crop.

EUROPE UPHOLDS MONSANTO'S PATENT ON ROUNDUP READY SEEDS
Leading seed manufacturer, Monsanto has acquired the right to patent its genetically modified seeds in Europe. According to the European Patent Office, Monsanto's European patent on Roundup Ready seeds including corn, wheat, rice, soyabeanand flax is to be maintained in a limited form and that it doesn’t the European patent law. St. Louisbased Monsanto develops insect and herbicideresistant crops as well as other agricultural products. The patent originally granted in June 1996 was amended in 2000. NGO Greenpeace and Switzerland's Syngenta had also appealed for the patent in the year 2001.