From Food First:

Monsanto's intimidation tactics are no longer legal in California

Legislation protecting California's farmers from liability was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger on Sept. 27, 2008. The bill, AB 541 (Huffman, D-Marin/Sonoma is the first bill passed by the California legislature that regulates genetically engineered (GE) crops.

AB 541 indemnifies California farmers who have not been able to prevent the inevitable drift of GE pollen or seed onto their land with the subsequent contamination of their non-GE crops. Farmers with crops that become contaminated by patented seeds or pollen have been the target of harassment lawsuits brought by Monsanto. The bill also protects these farmers from liability if their contaminated crops cause harm to other farmers, the environment or consumers.

AB 541 was sponsored by a coalition including Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), Earthbound Farm, California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), and United Natural Foods Inc "AB 541 provides much needed protection for farmers who typically lack the resources to fight lawsuits brought by biotech conglomerates," stated Renata Brillinger, director of the Genetic Engineering Policy Project, which is the coalition that sponsored AB 541. "This is a good first step towards establishing that Monsanto—not farmers—is legally responsible for the economic, environmental and health harms caused by their patented and uncontrollable products."