‘Probe how Bt brinjal seed was allowed to be commercialised’
In a major setback to the proponents of genetically modified technology in farm crops, the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture on Thursday asked the government to stop all field trials and sought a bar on GM food crops (such as Bt. brinjal).
The committee report, tabled in the Lok Sabha, demanded a “thorough probe” into how permission was given to commercialise Bt. brinjal seed when all evaluation tests were not carried out.
It said there were indications of a “collusion of the worst kind from the beginning till the imposition of a moratorium on its commercialisation in February, 2010, by the then Minister for Environment and Forests.”
The report came a day after Maharashtra cancelled Mahyco’s licence to sell its Bt. cotton seeds.
It flayed the government for not discussing the issue in Parliament and observed that the Ministry failed in its responsibility by introducing such a policy, ignoring the interests of the 70 per cent small and marginal farmers.
The report criticised the composition and regulatory role of the Genetic Engineering Approval (Appraisal) Committee and the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM).
According to Committee chairman Basudeb Acharia, there is not a single note of dissent in the report of the 31-member panel, including nine from the Congress and six from the BJP. Observing that GM crops (such as Bt. cotton) benefited the (seed) industry without a “trickle-down” gain to farmers, it recommended that till all concerns were addressed, further research and development should be done only in contained conditions.
Citing instances of conflict of interest of various stakeholders, the panel said the government must put in place all regulatory, monitoring, oversight and surveillance systems.
Raising the “ethical dimensions” of transgenics in agricultural crops, as well as studies of a long-term environmental and chronic toxicology impact, the panel noted that there were no significant socio-economic benefits to farmers. On the contrary, farmers have incurred huge debts because of this capital-intensive practice.
“Today, 93 per cent of the area is under Bt. cotton because no alternative seeds are available,” Mr. Acharia said.
Keywords: GM food crops, genetically modified technology, farm crops, Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, field trials, Bt. brinjal
This is utter nonsense, and pandering to fear-mongering and cheap
populism. The scientific literature is replete with safety reports on GM
crops, and there is not one scientific study which has demonstrated
toxicity. GM products have been tested through 3 generations of oral
feeding studies and found to be safe. The BT Brinjal is resistant to
insects which destroy this crop and requires less water. I think the
animus against Monsanto (and multinationals in general-which may be
justified to a degree) is being taken out on a useful technology.
One of the issues in which the nexus between corporate and politics has
come out.
But, why isn't the media taking it up on a higher level? Why are the
rest so silent?
I truly appreciate the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture for their diligence and coming up with this valuable report. The original decision taken by then Minister for Environment and Forests (I don't know who that was), was treason. He/she didn't have a clue about the consequences and didn't know the facts about this genetically modified technology in farm crops. It is a shame that these companies are trying to milk money from poor, innocent farmers all around the world. Not just India, the entire world should say NO to these leaches. These dirty companies are bribing the governments all over the world for their selfishness. We all should stop them.
A welcome decision, we must build on it, raise awareness of this report and see that
the standards for science, ethics, and democracy are upheld.
Very timely report from parliament. It just shows how crucial the role of parliament is in our socio-economic-political context.
Bt crops have unknown long term implications and have several grey areas in research and trials. At a time when there is a renewed push required to move towards more natural farming practices, bt crops should just be avoided.
Thank you for being one of the only newspapers to report this. I have no faith in the parliment and i'm sure we'll loose the battle to the GM lobby's bribes (Sharad Pawar is in charge) but at least you are trying to help the awareness. Bless you.
Good to see that few people who understand the real ground problem exists and are able to successfully project the problem,among majority sitting in an AC room and talking statistics without understanding the consequences.It is so pathetic to see that the concerned ministry is busy fighting for a petty issue of not being given a particular chair than focusing on what it is supposed to carry out.
It is now in the court of ICAR New Delhi and Science Academies especially
INSA,NAAS,NASI and IASc to take convincing measures to bring in GM technology and
GM crops.There is suspicion on the part of Peoples representatives on the intention of
multinational and big seed companies to spread GM crops in a biologically and biodiversity
fragile Indian ecosystem.The composition and capability of Indian regulatory system are
questioned.The judicial approval of test and methodology for DNA conducted at CCMB
Hyderabad stands testimony to the credibility of molecula biologists of the country.Likewise
the methodologies for post martum conducted stand the test of law and why not GM
technology?There is a belief that Indian Agricultural Scientists are purchasable by
multinational companies,World Bank,FAO etc and credentials so far do not speak other
wise.Now it is the bounden duty of ICAR to establish legally bound and judicially backed
systems and standards fool proof to stand the scrutiny of PR.
The panel is right in asking for a ban of GM crops. The biggest culprit in allowing a free hand to these companies to play with farmers livelihood and consumers health is our Agriculture minister Pawar who cannot see beyond his pockets.
Good Move...surprisingly, most validation studies on GM crops carried out in India by the Govt. run institutions were funded by USAID that receives major funding from MAHYCO, a sub of Monsanto...
In telecom also let us see how large company like Reliance had twisted the norms and laws to steal crores by manipulating international calls as local calls through managing officials in the government in the early days of telecom liberalisation!The BSNL has been made a loss making entity by wilful negligence of officials for favours from them and other companies!
Good God finally some body has openly exposed the shady deals of transgenic MNCs in India. This is exactly what we were saying from 2002 -- we filed a first PIL in India in APHigh Court and court directed the government to submit its counter. They did submit but when I submitted my reply on this, my advocate refused to file this in the court as he was purchased by them GM-cotton seed group. Since then they are conducting trails on several food crops illegally -- AP is netoriously supporting these MNCs. Even ICRISAT one of the 13 institutes of CGIAR a western body of MNCs supposed to carryout dry-land agriculture research is now lending its support in conducting GM paddy trails to monopolize paddy seed by these MNCs.
This is yet another proof of selling our soverignity by GOI to MNCs under diktat by their U.S. masters.There is no moral justification for Manmohan Singh Govt.to continue any longer.
This is a victory to all those who had been fighting for GM free foods and pro farmer
organic farming practices . With seed sovereignity intact , we can ensure the wellbeing
of the farmers , and thus of our nation
GM seeds and foods are quiet dangerous to humans. No one tested after three generations of consumption ,how humans will react. Recently I purchased Muli (Carrot) seeds . The growth of these plants was very encouraging, I thought the roots (yield)will be terribly bigger and tastey, but else there is no root at all . ALL my labour and fertiliser for two months was wasteful. I pity the farmers who are constantly cheated by such deseptive/GM seeds. GM foods/ seeds should be totally banned in the country, if at all our farmers have to survive.
Politicians are busy with vote-bank politics and are only interested in donations to carry on.
I dont know why this important news is not getting media attention except 'The Hindu'.
Good decision in the right direction
This may be one of the better decisions the govt has taken in recent
times. Once we say no to Genetically modified seeds, we can then look at
available alternatives to fulfill our food demand.
This is a breather in an otherwise industry-pro GoI policies..
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