Anger over European decision to grant patent on melon seeds

IRISH food interest groups have voiced their opposition to the European Patent Office’s (EPO) decision to grant food corporation Monsanto a patent on melon seeds which it has genetically modified.

Monsanto’s patent relates to the introduction of a virus resistant strain of melon seed into a regular melon seed.

The melon disease, Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus, has been spreading through North America, Europe and North Africa in recent years.