Monsanto's 'Roundup Ready' Alfalfa Controversy

This view was also supported by several studies in the academic field and examples in real life. For instance, Don Cameron (Cameron), a farmer based in California, grew several organic and biotech crops which included organic alfalfa as well as RRA. According to Cameron, "Proper stewardship makes it possible to grow both organic and biotech crops. We've successfully accomplished this for nearly a decade on our operation and plan to continue."⁸ Commenting on the value proposition offered by RRA, Chris Peterson, Marketing Manager at Monsanto, said, "With Roundup Ready Alfalfa system, growers will become familiar with a system that will allow them to produce cleaner, more yield, higher-quality alfalfa, and should realize an incremental earning opportunity compared to the way that they grow alfalfa today."⁹

In April 2000, Pharmacia & Upjohn Inc. (Pharmacia), a US-Swedish drug company, completed a merger with Monsanto. The merged entity was named Pharmacia Corporation. Pharmacia was attracted by the success achieved by Monsanto's blockbuster drug, Celebrex, used for the treatment of arthritis; it was not interested in Monsanto's agriculture business. By the end of 2000, Pharmacia Corporation hived off the agriculture division of Monsanto into a new company called Monsanto Agriculture Company, which was later renamed Monsanto. Monsanto was headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri...