-Caveat Lector- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/"> </A> -Cui Bono?- Dave Hartley http://www.Asheville-Computer.com/dave =================== The Guardian (London)Wednesday February 2, 2000 A lawyer writes. about Monsanto's name change. Dan Bennett What's in a name? The news that Monsanto is soon to be known as Pharmacia is part of an old Monsanto strategy, intended to allow a fresh start. Other sales divisions of the corporation will now be known as Searle and Upjohn, with the name Monsanto retained solely for an independent agricultural subsidiary. In 1997, I was in the process of issuing legal proceedings against Monsanto plc (the UK arm of the US-based multinational) for 165 neighbours of a rubber chemical factory. We had settled claims for about 120 neighbours who suffered chemical poisoning following a leak of hydrogen sulphide gas. Monsanto refused to settle any further claims and so litigation was inevitable. My final check for the address for service of the writ revealed the alarming fact that Monsanto plc was in liquidation and had changed its name to Globalstrike plc. The liquidator told me that it was a company reorganisation. I threatened to intervene and disrupt the liquidation unless we were told who would meet the claims. The next day, I was informed that Monsanto Chemicals UK Ltd would be responsible. A company search revealed that this company was a "shelf" company called Flextrex Ltd, created on December 20, 1996. A "shelf" company is created by company agents so it can be sold on to anyone in the future who wants a company. It saves them the time of creating one themselves. The shelf company was bought by Monsanto International Holdings Inc, of St Louis, US, in March 1997. The company changed its name to Monsanto Chemicals UK Ltd on March 14, 1997. By September, its name had changed to Solutia UK Ltd. The share transfer documentation on company records states that Monsanto Int. Holdings Inc paid for the shares with "assets transferred to the company pursuant to the Business Transfer Agreement between (1) Monsanto plc [another shelf company], (2) Globalstrike plc [the old Monsanto plc which had changed its name], and (3) Monsanto Chemicals UK Ltd [subsequently Solutia]". Company records revealed that Solutia did not own anything except for responsibility for this legal action and any other legal actions brought against the non-life science divisions of the "old" Monsanto. The "new" Monsanto owned only the life science/GM business. And so our case progressed against Solutia, with the company eventually agreeing to settle all but four of the 165 claims. A further claim we brought for a later leak at the same chemical factory is brought against Flexsys, which now owns all the rubber chemical factories in the UK that Monsanto used to run. It was also a shelf company and is also ultimately owned by Monsanto. This claim against Flexsys should come to trial this summer for 306 people. Dan Bennett is a lawyer with the London solicitors Leigh Day and Co, who act for individuals against corporations. www.leighday.co.uk <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soap-boxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
