Monsanto Company v. Geertson Seed Farms
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09-475 | 9th Cir. | Apr 27, 2010 | Jun 21, 2010 | 7-1 | Alito | OT 2009 |
Holding: The Supreme Court held that a lower court judge had incorrectly ruled when he banned the planting of genetically engineered because of claims they might be environmentally unsafe. The case was sent back to the Animal Protection and health Inspection Service for them to determine if they want to pursue a partial deregulation of the alfalfa seeds.
Judgment: Reversed and Remanded, 7-1, in an opinion by Justice Samuel Alito on June 21, 2010. Justice Stevens dissented, and Justice Breyer took no part.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Courts discretion to issue injunction for NEPA violation limited (Laurie Williams - Guest, June 22, 2010)
- A quick summary of Monsanto decision (Amy Howe, June 21, 2010)
- Do NEPA violations cause irreparable harm? (Anna Christensen, April 27, 2010)
Briefs and Documents
Merits Briefs
- Brief for Petitioner Monsanto Co., et al.
- Brief for the Federal Respondents
- Brief for Respondent Geertson Seed Farms, et al.
- Reply Brief for Petitioner Monsanto Co., et al.
- Reply Brief for the Federal Respondents
[edit] Amicus Briefs
- Brief for the Pacific Legal Foundation in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the American Sugarbeet Growers Association, the U.S. Beat Sugar Association, and the National Corn Growers Association in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, American Petroleum Institute, National Association of Home Builders, and Croplife America in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the Washington Legal Foundation in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the American Farm Bureau Federation, Biotechnology Industry Organization, the National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance, the American Seed Trade Association, the National Cotton Council, National Potato Council, the American Soybean Association, and the National Association of Wheat Growers in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the Union of Concerned Scientists, Center for Responsible Genetics, Dr. Steven R. Radosevich, Dr. Paul E. Arriola, Dr. John Fagan, Dr. E. Ann Clark, Dr. Don M. Huber, and Caroline Cox in Support of Geertson Respondents
- Brief for People of the State of California Ex Rel. Edmund G. Brown Jr., Attorney General; Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Martha Coakley, Attorney General; and State of Oregon, John R. Kroger, Attorney General in Support of Respondent
- Brief for Defenders of Wildlife, the Humane Society of The United States, and the Center for Biological Diversity in Support of Respondent
- Brief for the Natural Resources Defense Council, Professor Craig N. Johnston, Professor Michael C. Blumm, Professor David W. Case, Professor Jamison E. Colburn, Professor William F. Funk, Professor David K. Mears, Professor Patrick A. Parenteau, Professor John T. Parry, Professor Melissa A. Powers, and Professor Mary C. Wood in Support of Respondent
- Brief for Cropp Cooperative; Montana Organic Association; National Cooperative Grocers’ Association; National Organic Coalition; Organic Farming Research Foundation; Organic Seed Alliance; Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association; Organic Trade Association; Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance; United Natural Foods, Inc.; Annie’s, Inc.; Clif Bar & Company; Eden Foods, Inc.; Nature’s Path Foods, Inc.; Purist Foods, Inc.; Stonyfield Farm, Inc.; and Straus Family Creamery in Support of Respondent
[edit] Certiorari-Stage Briefs
- Opinion below (9th Circuit)
- Petition for certiorari
- Brief in opposition of Geertson Seed Farms
- Brief in opposition of the federal respondent
- Petitioner’s reply
- Amicus brief of the American Farm Bureau Federation et al.
- Amicus brief of the Washington Legal Foundation
- Amicus brief of Phytagro
Merits Briefs
- Brief for Petitioner Monsanto Co., et al.
- Brief for the Federal Respondents
- Brief for Respondent Geertson Seed Farms, et al.
- Reply Brief for Petitioner Monsanto Co., et al.
- Reply Brief for the Federal Respondents
[edit] Amicus Briefs
- Brief for the Pacific Legal Foundation in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the American Sugarbeet Growers Association, the U.S. Beat Sugar Association, and the National Corn Growers Association in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, American Petroleum Institute, National Association of Home Builders, and Croplife America in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the Washington Legal Foundation in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the American Farm Bureau Federation, Biotechnology Industry Organization, the National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance, the American Seed Trade Association, the National Cotton Council, National Potato Council, the American Soybean Association, and the National Association of Wheat Growers in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the Union of Concerned Scientists, Center for Responsible Genetics, Dr. Steven R. Radosevich, Dr. Paul E. Arriola, Dr. John Fagan, Dr. E. Ann Clark, Dr. Don M. Huber, and Caroline Cox in Support of Geertson Respondents
- Brief for People of the State of California Ex Rel. Edmund G. Brown Jr., Attorney General; Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Martha Coakley, Attorney General; and State of Oregon, John R. Kroger, Attorney General in Support of Respondent
- Brief for Defenders of Wildlife, the Humane Society of The United States, and the Center for Biological Diversity in Support of Respondent
- Brief for the Natural Resources Defense Council, Professor Craig N. Johnston, Professor Michael C. Blumm, Professor David W. Case, Professor Jamison E. Colburn, Professor William F. Funk, Professor David K. Mears, Professor Patrick A. Parenteau, Professor John T. Parry, Professor Melissa A. Powers, and Professor Mary C. Wood in Support of Respondent
- Brief for Cropp Cooperative; Montana Organic Association; National Cooperative Grocers’ Association; National Organic Coalition; Organic Farming Research Foundation; Organic Seed Alliance; Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association; Organic Trade Association; Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance; United Natural Foods, Inc.; Annie’s, Inc.; Clif Bar & Company; Eden Foods, Inc.; Nature’s Path Foods, Inc.; Purist Foods, Inc.; Stonyfield Farm, Inc.; and Straus Family Creamery in Support of Respondent