CHICAGO -- A group of U.S. soybean farmers were cited as complaining this week that U.S. soybean farmers pay more than their Argentine competitors for Monsanto's (MTC) popular Roundup Ready genetic seeds. The story says that Monsanto admitted it does charge more in the U.S., but that the situation is unavoidable due to weak intellectual property protection and lax enforcement of seed laws in Argentina. According to Monsanto, 25% to 50% of all Argentine soybean seeds are sold in violation of seed laws, suppressing the price of Roundup Ready seeds there. Also, Monsanto has patent protection for its product in the U.S., something it lacks in Argentina.

The story about Monsanto's prices was first reported by AgWeb.com, a U.S. online agricultural firm.

The story notes that the U.S. General Accounting Office released a report this week showing the disparity in prices. According to the GAO, a bag of Roundup Ready seed sold for about $12 to $15 in Argentina and from about $20 to $23 in the U.S. in 1999.

The American Soybean Association picked up on this, and complained that Monsanto isn't doing enough to resolve the price gap. The ASA wants Monsanto to discontinue "technology fees" that add up to about $6.50 for every 50-pound bag of Roundup Ready seeds sold in the U.S. The fee isn't charged in Argentina.

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