VSK TN
Swadeshi Jagran Manch has received
the news reports of approval of field trials of GM food crops by Genetically
Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), under the Union Ministry of Environment
& Forest, with shock, disbelief and anguish. Clearance of field trials for
15 Genetically Modified (GM) crops, which include major food crops such as
rice, sugarcane, chickpea, brinjal and mustard among others, has been given in
a meeting of the GEAC held on Friday.
the news reports of approval of field trials of GM food crops by Genetically
Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), under the Union Ministry of Environment
& Forest, with shock, disbelief and anguish. Clearance of field trials for
15 Genetically Modified (GM) crops, which include major food crops such as
rice, sugarcane, chickpea, brinjal and mustard among others, has been given in
a meeting of the GEAC held on Friday.
People of India who have elected
BJP to power are feeling deceived. They had voted BJP to power on the promises
the party made to the people of India in its manifesto 2014 and speeches made
by the leaders during the election campaign. On GM food crops the party was
emphatic in stating, “GM foods will not be allowed without full scientific
evaluation on the long term effects on soil, production, and biological impact
on consumers.” This was on April 7, 2014 when the manifesto was released to the
public. Neither the government nor the GEAC has disclosed as yet the contents
of promised scientific evaluation, if any or what changed between April 7, 2014
and July 18, 2014 when the field trials of GM Food crops were approved.
BJP to power are feeling deceived. They had voted BJP to power on the promises
the party made to the people of India in its manifesto 2014 and speeches made
by the leaders during the election campaign. On GM food crops the party was
emphatic in stating, “GM foods will not be allowed without full scientific
evaluation on the long term effects on soil, production, and biological impact
on consumers.” This was on April 7, 2014 when the manifesto was released to the
public. Neither the government nor the GEAC has disclosed as yet the contents
of promised scientific evaluation, if any or what changed between April 7, 2014
and July 18, 2014 when the field trials of GM Food crops were approved.
Swadeshi Jagran Manch wants to
remind the government that moratorium on open field trials of GM food crops was
the result of long and difficult struggle by people of India including Swadeshi
Jagran Manch, farmers, scientific experts, consumers activists and other
stakeholders. The Supreme Court of India has also been of the clear view that
no hasty decision in this regard shall be taken that puts the health of people and
soil at risk.
remind the government that moratorium on open field trials of GM food crops was
the result of long and difficult struggle by people of India including Swadeshi
Jagran Manch, farmers, scientific experts, consumers activists and other
stakeholders. The Supreme Court of India has also been of the clear view that
no hasty decision in this regard shall be taken that puts the health of people and
soil at risk.
The Supreme Court appointed technical
expert committee had recommended an indefinite moratorium on the field trials
of GM crops till the government came out with a proper regulatory and safety
mechanism, the same has not been done till date. The Parliamentary Standing
Committee on Agriculture that included members of present regime in a report in
August 2012 had also asked for a ban on GM food crops in the country.
expert committee had recommended an indefinite moratorium on the field trials
of GM crops till the government came out with a proper regulatory and safety
mechanism, the same has not been done till date. The Parliamentary Standing
Committee on Agriculture that included members of present regime in a report in
August 2012 had also asked for a ban on GM food crops in the country.
It is well established beyond any
doubt that claims made by GM industry like enhancing of productivity,
maintaining soil health and eliminating risk to human life are highly
exaggerated. There is no scientific evidence about the positive impact of GM
crops on productivity. Government is duty bound to have its own understanding
based on trials and studies conducted by trusted institutions. Government must
respect the views of reputed institutions like Hon’ble Supreme Court of India
and Parliamentary Standing Committee.
doubt that claims made by GM industry like enhancing of productivity,
maintaining soil health and eliminating risk to human life are highly
exaggerated. There is no scientific evidence about the positive impact of GM
crops on productivity. Government is duty bound to have its own understanding
based on trials and studies conducted by trusted institutions. Government must
respect the views of reputed institutions like Hon’ble Supreme Court of India
and Parliamentary Standing Committee.
Swadeshi Jagran Manch urges upon
the government to immediately put on hold the approval given by the GEAC. SJM
further calls upon the government not to rely on the biased and manipulated
reports of vested interests among the industry and institute enquiries about
the likely impact of GM food crops on soil, human and other species’ health to
ensure that no harm is done to traditional gene pool /biodiversity of the
nation, soil, food security and health of the people of India.
the government to immediately put on hold the approval given by the GEAC. SJM
further calls upon the government not to rely on the biased and manipulated
reports of vested interests among the industry and institute enquiries about
the likely impact of GM food crops on soil, human and other species’ health to
ensure that no harm is done to traditional gene pool /biodiversity of the
nation, soil, food security and health of the people of India.
Dr. Ashwani Mahajan
All India Co-convener, SJM