Activists' tribunal alleges Monsanto hurts environment

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A tribunal brought together by a rights group that aims to highlight what it claims are abuses by U.S. seed company Monsanto Co. has delivered an advisory opinion alleging the company “engaged in practices which have negatively impacted” people’s rights to a healthy environment, food and good health.

In its findings, the Monsanto Tribunal said Tuesday that Monsanto has affected the livelihoods and health of farmers and others around the world with its sales of genetically-modified seeds and the weed-killer Roundup.

In a reaction, St. Louis-based Monsanto said hearings last year that led to the ruling were staged by “a select group of anti-agriculture technology and anti-Monsanto critics who played organizers, judge and jury.”

The tribunal said international law should protect the environment.