A labor appeals court in north-central Argentina ruled that the construction of a Monsanto plant is unconstitutional, halting work on the site.
People worldwide have stood up to Monsanto as the company attempts to control the world’s food supply.
The three judge court ruled 2-1 in favor of the activists who filed a legal appeal against Monsanto’s GMO seed plant on environmental protection grounds in the municipality of Malvinas Argentinas, located in central Cordoba Province.
“We have filed a criminal complaint to inform the prosecutor of certain irregularities in violation of environmental law that have occurred in the heart of the Ministry of the Environment which is involved with authorizations of projects,” attorney Raúl Montenegro told Revolution News.
The construction at the site has been suspended until an environmental assessment is completed to determine the plant’s future impact on the area.
Local newspaper La Voz reported that the environmental study could be completed as soon as early February.
The multinational company said it will appeal the decision. “We consider our right to build legitimate since we have complied with all legal requirements and have obtained authorization to build according to the regulations,” said Monsanto’s statement.
The company stated that it already conducted an environmental assessment, which is currently under the review by the provincial Secretary of the Environment.
Activists had been blockading the construction site for 113 days, preventing workers from completing work on the plant.
Monsanto countered in a statement that “for over three months Monsanto employees and contractors had not been able to exercise their right to work, due to the action of extremists who blocked the site, incited violence and systematically ignored judicial decisions.”