MAINE–(ENEWSPF)–April 12, 2012. A group of farmers from Argentina have sued Monsanto, the makers of Roundup, for “knowingly” allowing them to be poisoned while using the weed killer and other pesticides.
Citing “devastating birth defects,” the lawsuit filed in a Delaware court also names significant players in the tobacco industry, including the Altria Group, Philip Morris Cos., Philip Morris USA, Carolina Leaf Tobacco, and the Universal Corporation.
“Monsanto defendants, the Philip Morris defendants, and the Carolina Leaf defendants promoted the use of Roundup and other herbicides to tobacco farmers in Misiones even though they were on direct and explicit notice that at all relevant times farmers . . . lacked the necessary personal protective equipment and other safety knowledge and skills required to minimize harmful exposures to Roundup,” the complaint states.
“What is more, at all relevant times Tabacos Norte, the Monsanto defendants, the Philip Morris defendants, and the Carolina Leaf defendants did not recommend protective measures to farmers and their families in Misiones. In fact, aforementioned defendants actively recommended and/or required that contracted tobacco farmers, including the instant plaintiffs, purchase excessive quantities of Roundup and other pesticides.
“At all relevant times, defendants were on direct and explicit notice that fruits, vegetables and farm animals designated for family consumption would be contaminated with pesticides including Roundup if contract farmers followed the defendants’ aggressive chemical application specifications for tobacco cultivation.”
For additional details, click here: http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/04/10/45469.htm
This case in Delaware comes on the heels of a February decision by a French court that found Monsanto guilty of poisoning a farmer with a weed killer known as alachlor: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/13/monsanto-guilty-paul-francois_n_1274326.html
Source: http://www.safelawns.org
