TSIT ■ Hyderabad
The Members of farmer organization Rythu Swarajya Vedika met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in his Bharat Jodo Yatra here on Wednesday and discussed the urgent issue of permission for environmental release and seed production of hazardous, herbicide-tolerant Genetically Modified (GM) Mustard.
The members shared various concerns–the approval process by GEAC, where the tests are designed by the applicants themselves, and approvals have been given without completion of additional tests prescribed by Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). They also mentioned GM Mustard being herbicide tolerant, and Glufosinate, the herbicide which its resistant against, which is sold by BASF, the world’s biggest chemical manufacturer.
Rahul Gandhi asked who are the developers of the seed, and they explained that while the present GM hybrid mustard was developed by Delhi University, the gene is patented by BASF – the same company which also produces glufosinate. Rahul Gandhi commented on the significance of the connection between gene patents and the companies that produce harmful chemicals.
They discussed the harmful environmental and health effects of glufosinate which will be indiscriminately used once herbicide-tolerant crops are released. They recalled that when the Government of India refused to permit Bt Brinjal in 2010 when Mr.Jairam Ramesh was Environment Minister, one of the recommendations was that herbicide tolerant crops should not be permitted in the country.
They also mentioned higher-yielding mustard varieties available in India when compared to GM Mustard and the lack of any strong reason for the development of GM Mustard in the first place.
Recalling the Congress Government’s stand at the Centre on Bt brinjal, they requested Rahul Gandhi to make sure that state governments where Congress is in power should take a stand against open field trials of GM mustard, particularly Rajashthan which produces more than 50 per cent of Mustard in India.
Rahul Gandhi appreciated all the concerns raised and suggested to meet Jairam Ramesh to follow up on the issue.
The Rythu Swarajya Vedika team submitted a memorandum to both Rahul Gandhi and Jairam Ramesh.
The team also held a detailed discussion with Jairam Ramesh and he assured that he will communicate to the Rajasthan State government about these concerns and request them to take appropriate action.
They demand that the Congress party take a strong stand against Genetically Modified crops, especially food crops, being approved without robust bio-safety testing and strong regulatory system – in line with the recommendations of the Ministry of Environment and Forests in its Bt Brinjal order in February 2010. The team members of Rythu Swarajya Vedika also demand that the Rajasthan government should not permit open field trials and seed production of GM mustard in its state, a statement here said.
