A HIGH Court of Australia decision today has ended Kojonup organic grower Steve Marsh’s six-year battle for compensation over losing his organic certification.
Mr Marsh applied for leave to appeal to the court last year after his case seeking damages from genetically modified (GM) canola grower and neighbour Mike Baxter was dismissed by the WA Court of Appeals.
Today, the court refused to hear the case and awarded costs to Mr Baxter, which is believed to be in the realm of millions of dollars.
Mr Marsh’s case, which has been ongoing since 2010 following the withdrawal of his organic certification after GM canola was found on his property, has now been effectively put to rest in terms of legal options
Mr Marsh said he was disappointed with the outcome and would attempt to pick up the pieces of his farming business at home.
Meanwhile Mr Baxter, who was supported at the hearing today by members of the Pastoralists and Graziers Association, was relieved with the outcome and said he believes the right conclusion was reached.