Record $60,000 Seed Law Fine for North Dakota Farmer Puts ‘Seed Piracy’ and Plant Variety Protection Under the Microscope
A routine regulatory audit has turned into a landmark case for U.S. seed law enforcement. According to a public notice from the North Dakota State Seed Department and reporting by Valley News Live, a farmer from Crystal, North Dakota, identified as Thomas Shephard, has paid $60,000 in penalties for multiple violations of state and federal seed laws, including infringement of variety owners’ rights under the Plant Variety Protection Act. https://www.valleynewslive.com+1