I suggested two years ago on this blog that if biotech corporations were held financially accountable for contamination of non-genetically engineered fields, that it would have a profound impact on the biotech industry. Well, I am glad to see hear that finally, after almost four years, Bayer Crop Science is being held financially accountable for contaminating US rice growers with unapproved GE rice (Liberty Link). This strain of GE rice has never been approved for human or animal consumption, and has been found all over the world. Greenpeace found that bags of rice sold at the Superstore on Kingsway in Vancouver were contaminated with Liberty Link.

Three farms were awarded $1.5million for the costs they incurred as a result of the contamination. They were not, unfortunately, required to pay punitive damages, but this is a precedent setting case. There are hundreds of farmers that have been affected by the contamination, and Japan and the European Union have banned imports of US grown rice.

There are also thousands of cases of contamination from other strains of GE crops. I stand by my prediction that if these cases make it to court, and the farmers are awarded damages, the biotechnology industry will think very differently about the cultivation of genetically engineered foods.