Gm Cotton Seeds

The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that Monsanto can claim patents on its genetically modified (GM) cotton seeds, a victory for the US company that is expected to encourage biotechnology firms to step up investment in India.

Monsanto Co has appealed to the Supreme Court against a ruling by the Delhi High Court which decreed last month that the world's biggest seed maker cannot claim patents on its genetically modified or GM cotton seeds, a company spokesman said on Friday.

"Today's order will have wide-ranging, negative implications for biotech-based innovation across many sectors within India," said Monsanto India.

In 2016, the agriculture ministry had cut Monsanto's royalties by more than 70%.

One of India's biggest cotton-growing states has formed a panel to investigate how 15 percent of the state's cotton acreage has been planted with a non-approved genetically modified strain developed by Monsanto and may bring criminal charges.

Monsanto Co has withdrawn an application seeking approval for its next generation of genetically modified cotton seeds in India, a major escalation in a long-running dispute between New Delhi and the world's biggest seed maker.

Price controls and compulsory licensing guidelines, as enacted in case of Bt Cottonseed, are likely to have an adverse impact on the long-term growth of the Genetically Modified (GM) seeds industry, ICRA said in a report.

German pharmaceutical giant Bayer sees in agro-industry giant Monsanto a gem worth at least $62 million for its dominant global position selling seeds sought by farmers of corn, soybeans, cotton and other commodity crops.

Amid opposition from crop biotech industry, the government today withdrew a notification capping royalty for new genetically modified (GM) traits and would now seek comments from stakeholders before taking a final call.

Monsanto India shares slumped nearly 9 per cent on Monday following the government's decision to tighten rules for the sale of genetically-modified cotton seeds in the country.

India has tightened rules for the sale of genetically-modified cotton seeds, a government order said, in a move that will cap royalties for any new variety that the market's sole supplier - U.S.-based Monsanto Co - decides to develop and sell.

With US-based seed giant Monsanto facing regulatory heat in India over monopoly concerns, the government has expedited work to bring out a local genetically-modified version of cotton seeds by next year.

US seed company Monsanto is welcome to leave India if it does not want to lower prices of genetically modified cotton seeds as directed by the government, a minister said on Wednesday, in a sign the rift between New Delhi and the firm is widening.

The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that Monsanto can claim patents on its genetically modified (GM) cotton seeds, a victory for the US company that is expected to encourage biotechnology firms to step up investment in India.

Monsanto Co has appealed to the Supreme Court against a ruling by the Delhi High Court which decreed last month that the world's biggest seed maker cannot claim patents on its genetically modified or GM cotton seeds, a company spokesman said on Friday.

"Today's order will have wide-ranging, negative implications for biotech-based innovation across many sectors within India," said Monsanto India.

In 2016, the agriculture ministry had cut Monsanto's royalties by more than 70%.

One of India's biggest cotton-growing states has formed a panel to investigate how 15 percent of the state's cotton acreage has been planted with a non-approved genetically modified strain developed by Monsanto and may bring criminal charges.

Monsanto Co has withdrawn an application seeking approval for its next generation of genetically modified cotton seeds in India, a major escalation in a long-running dispute between New Delhi and the world's biggest seed maker.

Price controls and compulsory licensing guidelines, as enacted in case of Bt Cottonseed, are likely to have an adverse impact on the long-term growth of the Genetically Modified (GM) seeds industry, ICRA said in a report.

German pharmaceutical giant Bayer sees in agro-industry giant Monsanto a gem worth at least $62 million for its dominant global position selling seeds sought by farmers of corn, soybeans, cotton and other commodity crops.

Amid opposition from crop biotech industry, the government today withdrew a notification capping royalty for new genetically modified (GM) traits and would now seek comments from stakeholders before taking a final call.

Monsanto India shares slumped nearly 9 per cent on Monday following the government's decision to tighten rules for the sale of genetically-modified cotton seeds in the country.

India has tightened rules for the sale of genetically-modified cotton seeds, a government order said, in a move that will cap royalties for any new variety that the market's sole supplier - U.S.-based Monsanto Co - decides to develop and sell.

With US-based seed giant Monsanto facing regulatory heat in India over monopoly concerns, the government has expedited work to bring out a local genetically-modified version of cotton seeds by next year.

US seed company Monsanto is welcome to leave India if it does not want to lower prices of genetically modified cotton seeds as directed by the government, a minister said on Wednesday, in a sign the rift between New Delhi and the firm is widening.