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Marsh v Baxter GMO litigation In May 2014, the Supreme Court of the Australian state of Western Australia dismissed "Marsh v. Baxter".[1][2] The plaintiff was Steve Marsh, an organic farmer, and the defendant was Michael Baxter, his lifelong neighbor, who grew GM canola.[3] In late 2010 Marsh found seeds from Baxter's crop in his fields. Later, Marsh found escaped GM canola growing amidst his crop. Marsh reported the seed and plants to his local organic certification board, and lost the organic certification of some 70 per cent of his 478 hectare farm.[1] Marsh sued on the grounds that Baxter used a method of harvesting his crop that was substandard and negligent, and on the basis that his land had been widely contaminated.[1] In its summary judgment, the court found that approximately 245 cut canola plants were blown by the wind into Marsh's property, Eagle's Rest.[2]: 2 However, Baxter's method (swathing) was "orthodox and well accepted harvest methodology".[2]: 5 "In 2011, eight GM canola plants were found to have grown up as self-sown volunteer plants on Eagle Rest,” which “were identified and pulled out", and "no more volunteer RR canola plants grew on Eagle Rest in subsequent years."[2]: 4 The summary judgment stated that the loss of organic certification "was occasioned by the erroneous application of governing NASAA Standards applicable to NASAA organic operators as regards GMOs (genetically modified organisms) at the time."[2]: 4 and that "[t]he absence of a reliable underlying evidentiary platform to support a perpetual injunction against swathing was a significant deficiency".[2]: 6
On June 18, 2014 Marsh announced that he had filed an appeal.[4] One ground was the costs of $803,989 awarded against him. The appeal hearing commenced on 23 March 2015 and was adjourned on 25 March "to deal with an order to ascertain whether Mr Baxter’s defence has been financially supported by GM-seed supplier Monsanto and/or the Pastoralists and Graziers Association (PGA)". Baxter surmised that the appeal would take about six months to determine.[5][6]
New material
editOn 8 April, Monsanto admitted it had provided funds for Baxter's defence, while PGA appeared to indicate that funds pooled by other farmers for the purpose had not been drawn down. That is, Monsanto directly funded the case to the exclusion of the PGA fighting fund.[7]
About 1000 farmers in WA are growing GM crops. Mark McGowan/Ken Travis has committed Labor to making the practice an election issue
- Notes
- ^ a b c Colin Bettles and Bobbie Hinkley for The Land. 28 May 2014 Baxter wins GM case
- ^ a b c d e f Supreme Court of Western Australia Supreme Court of Western Australia Judgement Summary: Marsh v Baxter [2014 WASC 187 (Civ 1561 Of 2012)
- ^ Ian Walker for the Global Mail. February 2014. Steve Marsh and the Bad Seeds Accessed July 8, 2014
- ^ Slater & Gordon Lawyers. June 18, 2014. Media statement: Marsh v Baxter appeal
- ^ Bettles, Colin GM cost appeal on hold Farm Weekly 25 March 2015 . Accessed 31 March 2015
- ^ Hawkins, Belinda GM canola farmer says Pastoralists and Graziers Association set up 'fighting fund' to 'help with legal costs' ABC News 28 March 2015
- ^ AAP. Monsanto confirms Baxter case funding 'The West Australian, 8 April 2015
Bevan Lawrence
editBevan Lawrence was educated at Aquinas College, Perth and the University of Western Australia, graduating Ll.B. in 1966, and has practised law in Perth since 1968. In 1987 he became the spokesman for the group in Western Australia subsequently known as People Against the Australia Card. In 1989 he formed the group, now known as People for Fair and Open Government, whose activities played a significant part in the decision by the then premier of Western Australia, Dr Carmen Lawrence (his sister) to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry into what had become known as W.A. Inc. (effectively, the conduct of the State's affairs under the Burke and Dowding Labor Governments).[1] [2]
- Notes
- ^ Fremantle (1993) Conference Contributors at Samuel Griffith Society
- ^ Lawrence, Bevan W.A. Inc.: Why Didn't We Hear The Alarm Bells?
Projected:
- Talsarn
- Blaenplwyf (farm)
- Felinfach
- Bevan Lawrence
- Pedr Davis
Felinfach is a village about 7km from the town of Lampeter in Ceredigion, mid-Wales.
It is notable as the location of the Welsh-language theatre, Theatr Felinfach.
William Harold Clough (born 30 September 1926)
File:World_Trade_Organization_negotiations.svg
Harold Clough steps down Press release at Clough official website, 29 October 2007
Scholarship recipients recognise Clough's vision UWA, 30 March 2010
The real value of philanthropy at UWA, 19 April 2010
(Named in this as "Dr Clough". Is this a substantive or honorary doctorate?
File:World_Trade_Organization_negotiations.svg
Yekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts
editAbout: http://www.emii.ru/en/museum/
Also Kasli Museum of Iron Sculptures
Also Fedorovich Torokin
Also Nikolai Laveretsky
Also S. A. Ossovskaya
(Redlinks in Kasli iron sculpture)
See also: Irbit State Museum of Fine Art