The Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution urging the Central government to deny permission for commercial cultivation of Genetically Modified (GM) mustard in the country.
Moving the resolution in the House, Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar said the approval granted by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) for production and cultivation of GM mustard was based on false claims and posed a grave threat to public health and agricultural traditions.
Pointing out the claim of increased crop yield from GM mustard was not yet scientifically proven, he said the crop could disturb the natural equilibrium, necessitate increased use of fertilizers and pesticides, and expose the population to environmental and health hazards.
GM mustard could contaminate conventional varieties and dilute the natural gene pool. Farmers would be forced to depend on expensive cropping practices dictated by multinational companies. GM crops would also dilute the rich tradition of organic farming and affect the country’s agricultural exports.
By allowing commercial farming of GM crops, farmers would be denied the right to store, use and sell seeds guaranteed under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act 2001.
The resolution also noted that oils extracted from GM crops would affect the quality and efficacy of Ayurvedic medicines.
Alleging that vested interests were behind the move to promote GM mustard, the Minister feared it would open the floodgates for the commercial cultivation of other GM crops.
Supporting the resolution, Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala called for a detailed discussion on the issue. The Minister assured the House that the government would hold a debate in due course.
