The Environment Ministry is unlikely to prescribe fresh tests to ascertain the safety of genetically-modified (GM) mustard even as environmental activists on Monday alleged that the GM mustard, under scrutiny, contained genes that conferred herbicide tolerance (HT). However, these crops are unlikely to be recommended for release anytime soon, officials told The Hindu .
As part of an ongoing case on GM crops in India, a Supreme Court Technical Expert Committee has already recommended a ban on HT crops.
A coalition of activists, opposed to GM crops, proffered evidence to the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) on Monday to show that GM mustard being tested was not superior in yield to existing mustard varieties.
“We’ve heard them out and a sub-committee will look into the concerns…but these are not HT crops,” said a GEAC official privy to the discussions. “One of the genes is a marker used to differentiate hybrids from non-hybrids. It won’t require more or less chemicals than existing mustard varieties,” the official said.
Beyond GEAC’s scope
Another official, who also did not want to be identified, said issues of yield were beyond the scope of the GEAC. “There are already other committees [within the agriculture system governance mechanism] tasked with looking at whether their yields are superior or they are fit for commercial release. So far, no fresh tests appear to be needed,” the official said. The GEAC is an expert body of the Environment Ministry tasked with assessing if GM crops posed a health or environmental risk. While the body must approve every application to test GM crops, the most contentious crop on its table now is a type of mustard that contains three genes sourced from soil bacterium.
It has had a tumultuous history with activists claiming that it would be a gateway to other GM food crops — tomato, rice, brinjal, etc — and that these may pose health and ecological risks. Currently, GM cotton is the only transgenic crop commercially available in fields. The GM mustard in question has been developed by Deepak Pental, a geneticist at the Delhi University, with support from the National Dairy Development Board and the Department of Biotechnology.
The technology involves using a complex of genes, sourced from soil bacterium, which makes it easier for seed developers to easily develop hybrid varieties of mustard, generally a self-pollinating plant. Hybrid varieties are generally known to produce greater yields but they necessitate farmers to keep going to seed companies every year to buy fresh seed. The technology, according to Mr. Pental, will contribute to increasing yields of such hybrids by 25% of existing varieties.
Activists claim that the government is being disingenuous. “When the GEAC cleared Bt Brinjal, and even previously in the case of Bt cotton, it asked for the superior yield of the Bt versions…it is a false position,” said Rajesh Krishnan, Convenor, Coalition for a GM-free India and who was among the activists who met with the GEAC.
Moreover, the Coalition argued, GM mustard would cause yield losses for farmers who attempt to use farm-saved seed and force them to buy seeds every season, affecting their sovereignty, crop diversity and profitability.
