“Monsanto Law” in Guatemala
After the defeat of the “Monsanto Law” in Guatemala on September 15, 2014, there has been significant resistance to Monsanto’s presence in the country. The law, formally known as Decree 19-2014, was repealed due to massive protests by indigenous communities and farmers, who opposed the mandate requiring them to purchase and use Monsanto’s genetically modified seeds. These seeds were designed to be sterile after one harvest, which would have forced farmers to buy new seeds each season, increasing their dependence on Monsanto.
Since the repeal, there have been ongoing concerns about similar legislation potentially resurfacing under different guises. Although the immediate threat was averted, the broader issues related to trade agreements and the privatization of seeds continue to pose challenges. The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), ratified by Guatemala in 2006, opened the country to the importation of U.S. corn, affecting local farmers and the price of corn domestically. This situation underscores the persistent vulnerability of Guatemalan agriculture to external pressures and multinational corporations (Truthout) (Homepage).
“Monsanto Law” in Guatemala
Despite the legal and social hurdles, it appears that Monsanto and similar corporations still face strong opposition and limited market penetration in Guatemala. The resistance from indigenous communities and local farmers remains robust, highlighting their commitment to preserving traditional agricultural practices and seed sovereignty.
Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, faces ongoing legal challenges related to its glyphosate-based herbicide, Roundup. Despite significant settlements and court rulings against the company, Bayer continues to fight these lawsuits on multiple fronts.
As of August 2024, Bayer is still dealing with thousands of pending lawsuits. In January 2024, a Philadelphia jury awarded $2.25 billion to a plaintiff, marking one of the largest verdicts against Bayer. However, Bayer has had some legal victories, such as a July 2024 ruling that could potentially limit plaintiffs’ ability to present certain evidence linking glyphosate to cancer (Drugwatch.com) (Lawsuits.org).
Bayer is also actively lobbying for legislative measures that could protect it from future liabilities. The company is pushing for the Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act, which aims to establish a federal standard for pesticide labeling, potentially limiting state-level regulations and reducing Bayer’s exposure to lawsuits (Lawsuits.org).
“Monsanto Law” in Guatemala
While Bayer has made substantial payouts, including a $10 billion settlement in 2020 to resolve about 100,000 claims, the legal battle is far from over. The outcome of Bayer’s lobbying efforts and the ongoing lawsuits will significantly impact its financial and legal standing in the future.