Monsanto gives up fight for GM plants in Europe

[The Grand Nudger]

If that is true, what do you suggest about farmers depending on one company for services? A farmer who buys a crop from monsanto has to constantly rebuy the pesticides and the feriliser from that same company because the plant only responds to these. This dependency can ruin the farmer when the company choses to rise prices.

That's an anti-trust issue, to be sure...but only where anti-trust laws exist. A farmer -could- buy his seed from someone else, there are competitors (their main pesticide is off-patent now so it's a non-issue) - but Monsanto's seed is very well engineered, it is demonstrably superior and so farmers -choose- to continue buying it and planting it to increase their net. If Monsanto raises their prices to a point where a producer would net more with another product that's what they'll plant - if they figure the difference is worth it.

That's how this is done. Think of agricultural producers as short term investment specialists, because that's what they are.

Other than that, why should it be wise to open to an american market which can export far cheaper goods to Europe?

Because it would free up your capital and your productive land (which can then be used to generate more capital). If somebody can do something cheaper and better than you, you let them do that and focus on something else (while leveraging their ability an products) to maximize your own efforts. That's why agricultural producers - for example, rarely breed their own seedstock - and why mixed vegetable producers buy plants well beyond their seedling phase to transplant into their fields. They can save money (on equipment, labor, and skills)- increase productivity - and simplify their operation (which all translates to increased profit), by availing themselves of the services of another.