Tuesday 5th October 1999 
Immediate release
PRESS RELEASE


Monsanto set for civil rights debacle ?


On November 8/9th 1999 at the Court of Appeal, The Strand, 
London [1] the agrochemical company Monsanto will contest 
the right of defendants from the genetiX snowball campaign 
to a trial. In April of this year Monsanto lost its 
application for permanent injunctions and the judge ordered 
the case to go to trial. Monsanto are now appealing that 
decision.

On July 4th last year five women launched the genetiX 
snowball campaign when they openly and peacefully dug up 
genetically modified plants at a trial site in Oxfordshire. 
They informed Monsanto, the owners of the plants, and the 
farmer who owned the land that they intended to uproot the 
GM plants. The Environment Agency were asked to collect the 
bagged up plants and to destroy them as a biohazard. The 
police were informed of the peaceful nature of genetiX 
snowball actions. The women believed their actions were 
lawful and in the public interest.

The five women were arrested but released without charge. 
Ten days later Monsanto served injunctions on them and a 
claim for unlimited damages. These prevent the five from 
uprooting or interfering with Monsanto's crops or 
encouraging or conspiring with others to do the same.  In 
September last year, prior to the  fourth genetiX snowball 
action Monsanto extended the injunction to include the 
campaign's press liaison (who had never even touched the 
crops) and other 'members' of genetiX snowball. Monsanto 
also claimed that recipients of the genetiX snowball 
'Handbook for Action' were subject to the injunctions and 
should be served with legal notices. Copies of the Handbook 
had been sent to Tony Blair, The Pope and Prince Charles 
[2].

On 20th April this year at the High Court Justice Klevan 
decided that the defendants had the right to a full trial 
and dismissed Monsanto's claim that there was no defence. 
Monsanto have appealed Justice Klevan's decision and there 
will be an appeal hearing on November 8th/9th . They are 
asking that permanent injunctions be issued against the 
defendants immediately without trial.

At the appeal hearing on November 8/9th three of the 
defendants will be represented by barristers Richard 
Gordon, Q.C. and Steve Cragg. The other three defendants 
will represent themselves. As an appeal court case it could 
set a precedent.

ENDS


Press liaison: Andrew Wood: 0973 953 446, page: 07654 
247502


Editors Notes

[1] It is essential to confirm the court hearing date by 
calling the Royal Courts of Justice from November 5th and 
quoting case number QBENI 99/0758/1, 1998-M-NO 1190 
Monsanto PLC vs Rowan Tilly and others.

[2] No reply was received from Tony Blair or The Pope. A 
reply on behalf of Prince Charles politely declined an 
offer to join the campaign.
genetiX snowball 
A campaign of nonviolent civil responsibility
One World Centre, 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS Tel: 
0161 834 0295  Fax: 0161 834 8187
Press liaison: Andrew Wood 0973 953 446 or page 07654 
247502