The new proposal to jail anyone questioning the safety of genetically modified (GM) crops has yet to become a law. But the government appears to have already started muzzling anti-GM voices, environmental activists have alleged.
A regional government official and a professor of genetics from Italy - both important members of the GM-free movement - have been allegedly denied visa by the Indian government.
The two were supposed to speak at an international conference on "genetically modified organism-free movement" organised by the Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology in Delhi on Tuesday.
Maria Grazia Mammucini is the director of the regional government of Tuscany's agency for agriculture, while Marcello Buiatti is a professor of genetics at the University of Florence and a member of the European Network of Independent Scientists.
They have played a key role in getting regions in Europe declared GM-free and were supposed to share their experience at the meeting.
The agriculture agency of the Region of Tuscany headed by Mammucini was listed as one of the co-hosts of the event. Tuscany is one of the 49 regions in Europe that have officially declared themselves GM-free. In India, 13 states have so far said no to Bt brinjal and only Kerala has declared itself
GM-free.
Vandana Shiva, who heads the organisation hosting the meeting, alleged: "The visa has been denied at the behest of the agriculture ministry which is headed by pro-GM politician Sharad Pawar. Both Mammucini and Buiatti have valid papers, including an invitation from us. There was no reason they should have been denied entry into India." "When I contacted the Indian embassy, the official there told me that he needed permission from the agriculture ministry for issuing the visas," Shiva added.
"This arbitrary action has denied the Indian public a chance to hear Prof. Buiatti who has shown how genetic engineering is unreliable and risky."Shiva criticised Pawar for his alleged move to get the recent moratorium on Bt brinjal lifted.
"It seems the PM (Manmohan Singh) has said (environment minister) Jairam Ramesh can't have the last word on Bt brinjal. The fact is that the people have had the last word on this subject and politicians can't be allowed to undo that,"she said.
Shiva said the proposal to set up the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India was aimed at deregulating the biotech industry and not at safeguarding biosafety. The existing biosafety framework, she said, was good enough. It only needed transparent implementation.
Benedikt Haerlin, a former member of the European parliament, said that while cultivation of GM crops was legal in many regions of Europe, it was the public pressure that was keeping the regions free of GM foods.
Debi Barker of the Center for Food Safety in Washington said it was a myth that GM crops in the US had brought down pesticide use or increased yields.
India Today, Dinesh C. Sharma New Delhi, February 24, 2010
Showing posts with label bt-issue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bt-issue. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
It’s moratorium on Bt brinjal: Jairam
NEW DELHI: Bt brinjal will not make it to your dinner table for now. On Tuesday, the Environment Ministry announced its decision to impose a moratorium on the release of the transgenic brinjal hybrid developed by Mahyco, a subsidiary of global seed giant Monsanto. The moratorium will last “till such time independent scientific studies establish, to the satisfaction of both the public and professionals, the safety of the product from the point of view of its long-term impact on human health and environment, including the rich genetic wealth existing in brinjal in our country,” said Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.
Public consultations
The Minister’s decision comes after a month of public consultations in seven cities, which were attended by approximately 8,000 people. They were organised after widespread protests against the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee’s (GEAC) recommendation of approval of Bt brinjal in October 2009. Mr. Ramesh attributed the decision to several factors: lack of clear consensus among the scientific community; opposition from 10 State governments, especially from the major brinjal-producing States; questions raised about the safety and testing process; lack of an independent biotechnology regulatory authority; negative public sentiment and fears among consumers and lack of a global precedent. “My decision is both responsible to science and responsive to society,” he said adding he did not come under pressure from any quarter in arriving at the decision.
Fresh studies
Mr. Ramesh said the moratorium period would be used to commission fresh scientific studies and reform the testing process. “If you need long term toxicity tests, then you must do it, no matter how long it takes… There is no hurry. There is no overriding urgency or food security argument for [release of] Bt brinjal,” he said. “Our objective is to restore public confidence and trust in the Bt brinjal product. If it cannot be done, so be it.” The moratorium period should also be used to operationalise an independent regulatory authority and hold a parliamentary debate on private investment in agricultural biotechnology. “I don’t believe India should be dependent on the private sector seed industry,” said Mr. Ramesh. “I believe seeds are as strategic to India as space and nuclear issues.” Bt brinjal, created by inserting a gene from the soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis – hence the Bt – is capable of resisting several insect pests and could reduce the use of pesticide
Source: The Hindu, dated: 10.02.2010
Public consultations
The Minister’s decision comes after a month of public consultations in seven cities, which were attended by approximately 8,000 people. They were organised after widespread protests against the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee’s (GEAC) recommendation of approval of Bt brinjal in October 2009. Mr. Ramesh attributed the decision to several factors: lack of clear consensus among the scientific community; opposition from 10 State governments, especially from the major brinjal-producing States; questions raised about the safety and testing process; lack of an independent biotechnology regulatory authority; negative public sentiment and fears among consumers and lack of a global precedent. “My decision is both responsible to science and responsive to society,” he said adding he did not come under pressure from any quarter in arriving at the decision.
Fresh studies
Mr. Ramesh said the moratorium period would be used to commission fresh scientific studies and reform the testing process. “If you need long term toxicity tests, then you must do it, no matter how long it takes… There is no hurry. There is no overriding urgency or food security argument for [release of] Bt brinjal,” he said. “Our objective is to restore public confidence and trust in the Bt brinjal product. If it cannot be done, so be it.” The moratorium period should also be used to operationalise an independent regulatory authority and hold a parliamentary debate on private investment in agricultural biotechnology. “I don’t believe India should be dependent on the private sector seed industry,” said Mr. Ramesh. “I believe seeds are as strategic to India as space and nuclear issues.” Bt brinjal, created by inserting a gene from the soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis – hence the Bt – is capable of resisting several insect pests and could reduce the use of pesticide
Source: The Hindu, dated: 10.02.2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
10 state governments say no to Bt brinjal
Friday, February 05, 2010 08:00 IST
Food & Beverage News, Mumbai
Ten state governments have decided to wait for the end of controversy over whether genetically modified (GM) brinjal, or Bt brinjal, should be approved or not. They have decided not to allow it in their states anyway. Their representatives joined hands today at a conference called in Kerala by the state government and called their united stand the second war of independence. They were from political parties of different hues but united by the common cause of opposing Bt brinjal, the technology for which is owned by US company Monsanto.
The conference was called by the agriculture department and biodiversity board of the state government at Thiruvananthapuram. The representatives from 10 states ranging from Mizoram in the far east to Kerala's next door neighbour Tamil Nadu, and Naxal-ravaged Cchhattisgarh, besides Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, declared they would not rest until Bt brinjal and all GM food stuff "Quit India."
"Our motive was to send a strong message of opposition to Bt brinjal to the Centre," said V S Vijayan, chairperson of the Biodiversity Board of Kerala. The states made a joint declaration resolving against allowing Bt brinjal in their tetrritory. The agricultural ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Punjab recounted the losses incurred by their farmers who o[pted for Bt cotton and vowed not to allow Bt brinjal in their states
About imported products Vijayan said, "All we can do is to either insist on labelling of all imported food or like Mahatma Gandhi, not to buy imported food."
Pushpa Bhargava, member of the Union government's Genetic Engineering Approval Committee who differed with the majority, said the country did not have the technology to detect the Bt DNA.
Ramesh says PM will take the decision
Environment minister Jairam Ramesh, who is seeking public opinion on granting permission to cultivate Bt brinjal, sent a letter to Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar saying that the issue of human safety would not be decided in a rush and the matter would be eventually be taken to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. In a more direct attack on his ministerial colleagues, Ramesh said: "Bt brinjal is not just a farmer issue. We cannot ignore larger consumer groups."
He said he was acting on a very "limited mandate" of looking at the approval given to Bt brinjal. "I am not deciding on the future of genetically modified technology in agriculture."
Asked if differences had emerged in the UPA government on the issue, Ramesh said, "Differences are inevitable in a democracy."
Asked if he was dealing with a scientific issue in an emotional manner, he said: "This is not a scientific issue. There are larger social and political issues involved here." He said the issue involved around the entire food chain and needed to be looked at carefully.
Food & Beverage News, Mumbai
Ten state governments have decided to wait for the end of controversy over whether genetically modified (GM) brinjal, or Bt brinjal, should be approved or not. They have decided not to allow it in their states anyway. Their representatives joined hands today at a conference called in Kerala by the state government and called their united stand the second war of independence. They were from political parties of different hues but united by the common cause of opposing Bt brinjal, the technology for which is owned by US company Monsanto.
The conference was called by the agriculture department and biodiversity board of the state government at Thiruvananthapuram. The representatives from 10 states ranging from Mizoram in the far east to Kerala's next door neighbour Tamil Nadu, and Naxal-ravaged Cchhattisgarh, besides Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, declared they would not rest until Bt brinjal and all GM food stuff "Quit India."
"Our motive was to send a strong message of opposition to Bt brinjal to the Centre," said V S Vijayan, chairperson of the Biodiversity Board of Kerala. The states made a joint declaration resolving against allowing Bt brinjal in their tetrritory. The agricultural ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Punjab recounted the losses incurred by their farmers who o[pted for Bt cotton and vowed not to allow Bt brinjal in their states
About imported products Vijayan said, "All we can do is to either insist on labelling of all imported food or like Mahatma Gandhi, not to buy imported food."
Pushpa Bhargava, member of the Union government's Genetic Engineering Approval Committee who differed with the majority, said the country did not have the technology to detect the Bt DNA.
Ramesh says PM will take the decision
Environment minister Jairam Ramesh, who is seeking public opinion on granting permission to cultivate Bt brinjal, sent a letter to Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar saying that the issue of human safety would not be decided in a rush and the matter would be eventually be taken to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. In a more direct attack on his ministerial colleagues, Ramesh said: "Bt brinjal is not just a farmer issue. We cannot ignore larger consumer groups."
He said he was acting on a very "limited mandate" of looking at the approval given to Bt brinjal. "I am not deciding on the future of genetically modified technology in agriculture."
Asked if differences had emerged in the UPA government on the issue, Ramesh said, "Differences are inevitable in a democracy."
Asked if he was dealing with a scientific issue in an emotional manner, he said: "This is not a scientific issue. There are larger social and political issues involved here." He said the issue involved around the entire food chain and needed to be looked at carefully.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Filmi touch to anti-Bt brinjal campaign
Reema Narendran
First Published : 03 Feb 2010 02:55:11 AM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: When the whole country is discussing the merits and demerits of Bt brinjal, celebrities from Kollywood - Revathy, Rohini and Cheran, have brought out a film on genetically modified brinjal titled ‘Kathereekkai’.
The short and crisp documentary has been shot in Tamil Nadu, which, Rohini says, has the highest number of brinjal consumers.
“In the three meals that we have a day, at least one would have brinjal in some form or the other. The Bt brinjal manufacturers are playing against nature. How can they force this sort of genetically modified brinjal on us?,’’ asks Rohini, who is in the city to judge a reality show for a television channel. Rohini, disturbed by the possible long-term implications of Bt brinjal on the soil and the health of millions, talked about this to Revathy. “Of course, Cheran already knew about Bt brinjal and said that he would be part of the venture,’’ said Revathy.
The film talks not just about the dangers of Bt brinjal, but also about the Bt cotton, that was released in the country much earlier. "The films talk to a number of farmers across Tamil Nadu who had cultivated Bt cotton, who lost their money and was finally compensated by the multinational seed company itself," said the actor.
The CDs of the film is being sent to different centres in Tamil Nadu to be distributed among the farmers. Why not Kerala?, ‘Express’ asked. "Well, Kerala was one of the first states to realise the dangers of genetically modified crops and ban it. In Tamil Nadu, we need to create a lot more awareness on this topic. We met our Chief Minister and briefed him on the need to ban GM crops. He was very patient, asked a lot of questions and I thought he was very positive," she said.
These film personalities do not intend to stop their campaign against GM crops with just the film. "We have an umbrella organisation called Safe Food Alliance in Tamil Nadu. We intend to take out marches and we are going to make children write to the concerned ministers. We want the youngsters to decide if they want to be labrats," said Rohini.
And, when they went to meet the CM and the Agriculture Minister of Tamil Nadu, they took a bag full of native brinjals with them.
Source: Expressbuzz
First Published : 03 Feb 2010 02:55:11 AM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: When the whole country is discussing the merits and demerits of Bt brinjal, celebrities from Kollywood - Revathy, Rohini and Cheran, have brought out a film on genetically modified brinjal titled ‘Kathereekkai’.
The short and crisp documentary has been shot in Tamil Nadu, which, Rohini says, has the highest number of brinjal consumers.
“In the three meals that we have a day, at least one would have brinjal in some form or the other. The Bt brinjal manufacturers are playing against nature. How can they force this sort of genetically modified brinjal on us?,’’ asks Rohini, who is in the city to judge a reality show for a television channel. Rohini, disturbed by the possible long-term implications of Bt brinjal on the soil and the health of millions, talked about this to Revathy. “Of course, Cheran already knew about Bt brinjal and said that he would be part of the venture,’’ said Revathy.
The film talks not just about the dangers of Bt brinjal, but also about the Bt cotton, that was released in the country much earlier. "The films talk to a number of farmers across Tamil Nadu who had cultivated Bt cotton, who lost their money and was finally compensated by the multinational seed company itself," said the actor.
The CDs of the film is being sent to different centres in Tamil Nadu to be distributed among the farmers. Why not Kerala?, ‘Express’ asked. "Well, Kerala was one of the first states to realise the dangers of genetically modified crops and ban it. In Tamil Nadu, we need to create a lot more awareness on this topic. We met our Chief Minister and briefed him on the need to ban GM crops. He was very patient, asked a lot of questions and I thought he was very positive," she said.
These film personalities do not intend to stop their campaign against GM crops with just the film. "We have an umbrella organisation called Safe Food Alliance in Tamil Nadu. We intend to take out marches and we are going to make children write to the concerned ministers. We want the youngsters to decide if they want to be labrats," said Rohini.
And, when they went to meet the CM and the Agriculture Minister of Tamil Nadu, they took a bag full of native brinjals with them.
Source: Expressbuzz
Govt to consider ban through legal means
Express News Service
First Published : 02 Feb 2010 01:26:00 AM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government will consider the possibility of banning genetically modified crops in the state through legal measures.
Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran told a news conference here on Monday that the Government had written to the Union Environment Minister to conduct a sitting in Kerala before granting approval to Bt Brinjal. However, no reply had been received so far, he said.
WORKSHOP: A high-level workshop to discuss the merits and demerits of introducing GM crops, will be held at the Government Guest house here on Tuesday and Wednesday. The workshop is being jointly organised by the Kerala State Agriculture Department and Biodiversity Board.
Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan will inaugurate the workshop at 3 pm on Tuesday. Mullakkara Ratnakaran will preside over the function.
Dr Devinder Sharma, chairman, Forum for Biotechnology and Food Security, New Delhi, will deliver the keynote address on GM crops in the context of the current agricultural crisis.
Dr Vandana Shiva, Director, Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, New Delhi, will deliver the special address. Ministers C. Divakaran and P.K. Sreemathi, poet and environmentalist Sugathakumari, Environment Secretary C.K.
Viswanathan and Kerala Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor K.R.
Viswambharan will offer felicitations.
On Wednesday, Dr Pushpa M.Bhargava, founder director, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Supreme Court’s nominee in the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, will speak on biosafety regulations in India in the context of the controversy over Bt Brinjal.
Dr G.V. Ramanjaneulu, Director, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Secunderabad, will deliver a lecture on `Lessons from Bt cotton and the concern on Bt Brinjal’.
The workshop will discuss issues like implications on farmers due to introduction of GM crops, biodiversity, food security, seed and food selfsufficiency as well as issue of intellectual property rights over technology and seeds.
The major topic for discussion will be on whether GM crops will provide a solution to hunger and poverty in the country. Minister for Forests and Wildlife Binoy Viswam will deliver the valedictory address. Dr V.S. Vijayan, chairman, Kerala State Biodiversity Board, will present a report.
Source: expressbuzz.com
First Published : 02 Feb 2010 01:26:00 AM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government will consider the possibility of banning genetically modified crops in the state through legal measures.
Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran told a news conference here on Monday that the Government had written to the Union Environment Minister to conduct a sitting in Kerala before granting approval to Bt Brinjal. However, no reply had been received so far, he said.
WORKSHOP: A high-level workshop to discuss the merits and demerits of introducing GM crops, will be held at the Government Guest house here on Tuesday and Wednesday. The workshop is being jointly organised by the Kerala State Agriculture Department and Biodiversity Board.
Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan will inaugurate the workshop at 3 pm on Tuesday. Mullakkara Ratnakaran will preside over the function.
Dr Devinder Sharma, chairman, Forum for Biotechnology and Food Security, New Delhi, will deliver the keynote address on GM crops in the context of the current agricultural crisis.
Dr Vandana Shiva, Director, Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, New Delhi, will deliver the special address. Ministers C. Divakaran and P.K. Sreemathi, poet and environmentalist Sugathakumari, Environment Secretary C.K.
Viswanathan and Kerala Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor K.R.
Viswambharan will offer felicitations.
On Wednesday, Dr Pushpa M.Bhargava, founder director, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Supreme Court’s nominee in the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, will speak on biosafety regulations in India in the context of the controversy over Bt Brinjal.
Dr G.V. Ramanjaneulu, Director, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Secunderabad, will deliver a lecture on `Lessons from Bt cotton and the concern on Bt Brinjal’.
The workshop will discuss issues like implications on farmers due to introduction of GM crops, biodiversity, food security, seed and food selfsufficiency as well as issue of intellectual property rights over technology and seeds.
The major topic for discussion will be on whether GM crops will provide a solution to hunger and poverty in the country. Minister for Forests and Wildlife Binoy Viswam will deliver the valedictory address. Dr V.S. Vijayan, chairman, Kerala State Biodiversity Board, will present a report.
Source: expressbuzz.com
Friday, January 29, 2010
Fast planned against Bt brinjal
Express News Service
First Published : 29 Jan 2010 06:25:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 29 Jan 2010 10:22:42 AM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On Sunday, at the Martyrs Square in the city, environmentalists, farmers, political and cultural leaders in the State will go on a fast to stop the Ministry of Environment and Forests from giving permission for commercial cultivation of Bt brinjal. The fast will be inaugurated by Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran at 10.30 a.m.
Literary and cultural personalities, including O.N.V. Kurup, Sugathakumari, Vishnu Narayanan Namboothiri and D. Vinayachandran, among others, will join the fast. Songs of national integration will be performed by the members of MBS Choir Music at 5 p.m., followed by a candle-light oath-taking ceremony.
Citizens, who are concerned about the environment and biodiversity, are expected to join in the programme organised by the Kerala Agriculture Environment Collective.
India’s regulatory body for genetic engineering, the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), had approved Bt brinjal for commercial cultivation and the Central Government is now holding national consultations before the final clearance. January 30, the day that took the life of Mahatma Gandhi, is also the last day of the official national consultations on Bt brinjal being held in seven states across the country. All the consultations till now have seen stiff resistance at several locations.
Those citizens, who cannot take a fast, can show their solidarity with the cause by lighting a candle. The All-India Kissan Sabha, AIYF, Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi, Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishad, Kerala Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation, Jaiva Karshaka Samithi, AIPSO, Progressive Forum, PUCL, KSSF, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, Solidarity Students Movement, Thanal, Abhaya, SEWA, SAKHI, OEOL, Kerala Mahila Samakhya Society, Kerala Sthree Vedi, Zero Waste Centre and Chilla are among the other organisations that are joining the fast.
The one-day fast call made by the environmental and farming organisations across the country to stop Bt brinjal and to protect the food sovereignty of the country is being widely taken up by organisations and individuals across the State. In Kerala, one-day fasts are being organised on Sunday in at least 10 districts.
A badge that can be used during the fast can be downloaded from www.thanal.co.in. Details about the fast can be had from phone number 9995358205.
trivandrum@expressbuzz.com
First Published : 29 Jan 2010 06:25:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 29 Jan 2010 10:22:42 AM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On Sunday, at the Martyrs Square in the city, environmentalists, farmers, political and cultural leaders in the State will go on a fast to stop the Ministry of Environment and Forests from giving permission for commercial cultivation of Bt brinjal. The fast will be inaugurated by Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran at 10.30 a.m.
Literary and cultural personalities, including O.N.V. Kurup, Sugathakumari, Vishnu Narayanan Namboothiri and D. Vinayachandran, among others, will join the fast. Songs of national integration will be performed by the members of MBS Choir Music at 5 p.m., followed by a candle-light oath-taking ceremony.
Citizens, who are concerned about the environment and biodiversity, are expected to join in the programme organised by the Kerala Agriculture Environment Collective.
India’s regulatory body for genetic engineering, the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), had approved Bt brinjal for commercial cultivation and the Central Government is now holding national consultations before the final clearance. January 30, the day that took the life of Mahatma Gandhi, is also the last day of the official national consultations on Bt brinjal being held in seven states across the country. All the consultations till now have seen stiff resistance at several locations.
Those citizens, who cannot take a fast, can show their solidarity with the cause by lighting a candle. The All-India Kissan Sabha, AIYF, Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi, Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishad, Kerala Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation, Jaiva Karshaka Samithi, AIPSO, Progressive Forum, PUCL, KSSF, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, Solidarity Students Movement, Thanal, Abhaya, SEWA, SAKHI, OEOL, Kerala Mahila Samakhya Society, Kerala Sthree Vedi, Zero Waste Centre and Chilla are among the other organisations that are joining the fast.
The one-day fast call made by the environmental and farming organisations across the country to stop Bt brinjal and to protect the food sovereignty of the country is being widely taken up by organisations and individuals across the State. In Kerala, one-day fasts are being organised on Sunday in at least 10 districts.
A badge that can be used during the fast can be downloaded from www.thanal.co.in. Details about the fast can be had from phone number 9995358205.
trivandrum@expressbuzz.com
Thursday, January 28, 2010
States against hasty decision on Bt brinjal
Nagpur: Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh has said that several State Chief Ministers have asked him not to take hasty decision on the commercial cultivation of BT brinjal.
Talking to reporters here on the sidelines of a National Consultation Meet on Bt brinjal, Ramesh said: "Chief ministers of states such as Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Kerala, Karnataka and Orissa have written to me that there is a need to conduct more experiments on Bt brinjal." "There is a need of conducting more experiments on BT brinjal, especially regarding human safety part. They don't opine that to introduce (commercially release) Bt brinjal is that important," he added.
He further said it is the duty of scientists to dispel doubts regarding the GM crop. "I believe that it is the duty of scientists to clear doubts of people and there reservations regarding Bt brinjal. Such important decisions (whether to commercialise BT brinjal) should be taken in a democratic way and in a transparent manner," said Ramesh.
The Indian Expres: Thursday , Jan 28, 2010 at 1127 hrs
Talking to reporters here on the sidelines of a National Consultation Meet on Bt brinjal, Ramesh said: "Chief ministers of states such as Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Kerala, Karnataka and Orissa have written to me that there is a need to conduct more experiments on Bt brinjal." "There is a need of conducting more experiments on BT brinjal, especially regarding human safety part. They don't opine that to introduce (commercially release) Bt brinjal is that important," he added.
He further said it is the duty of scientists to dispel doubts regarding the GM crop. "I believe that it is the duty of scientists to clear doubts of people and there reservations regarding Bt brinjal. Such important decisions (whether to commercialise BT brinjal) should be taken in a democratic way and in a transparent manner," said Ramesh.
The Indian Expres: Thursday , Jan 28, 2010 at 1127 hrs
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Bt.brinjal a threat to health, say environmentalists
In protest against the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee’s (GEAC) nod for the commercial cultivation of genetically-modified (GM) brinjal in the country, the Coalition for GM-Free India took out a march and staged a dharna in front of the Ernakulam telephone exchange on Friday.The coalition turned the World Food Day observance into a protest day in view of the alleged threat emanating from Bt.brinjal. Environmental and social activist C.R. Neelakantan, who inaugurated the dharna, said that the green signal for Bt.brinjal would open the floodgates to other GM crops and foods.Genetic engineering in food and crops would cause unimaginable harm to human health as well as the environment, he cautioned.
The environmental activists, who spoke at the dharna, urged the Union government to reject the GEAC recommendation to allow Bt.brinjal cultivation. The GEAC had recently approved the commercial cultivation of Bt.brinjal in spite of the mounting protests by environmental and social organisations across the country, which alleged that multinational seed companies were pressuring India to allow GM crops cultivation. Genetically-modified foods are a highly controversial issue across the world and the scientific community is divided over the benefits and threats of GM crops. While those pushing for Bt.brinjal claim that it will enormously increase brinjal productivity, opponents say that the anticipated benefits would far outweigh the harm to human health, farmers’ economic security and damage to the environment.
The Hindu, 17th October 2009
The environmental activists, who spoke at the dharna, urged the Union government to reject the GEAC recommendation to allow Bt.brinjal cultivation. The GEAC had recently approved the commercial cultivation of Bt.brinjal in spite of the mounting protests by environmental and social organisations across the country, which alleged that multinational seed companies were pressuring India to allow GM crops cultivation. Genetically-modified foods are a highly controversial issue across the world and the scientific community is divided over the benefits and threats of GM crops. While those pushing for Bt.brinjal claim that it will enormously increase brinjal productivity, opponents say that the anticipated benefits would far outweigh the harm to human health, farmers’ economic security and damage to the environment.
The Hindu, 17th October 2009
VS for bar on GM seeds
Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has asked the Centre to reconsider allowing ‘widespread use’ of genetically modified seeds. In a letter sent to the Prime Minister on Thursday, he wanted a moratorium to be declared on such seeds for half a century to evaluate the dangers posed by them. He said Kerala had even earlier conveyed to the Centre its stance on genetically modified seeds and food items. It was against allowing the cultivation of those seeds even on experimental basis.
The Hindu, 16th October 2009
The Hindu, 16th October 2009
Panel approves commercial cultivation of Bt brinjal
The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), country’s bio-technology regulator, has approved the commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) Bt brinjal. If approved by the government, it will become the first GM food crop in India.Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh confirmed that the GEAC gave its approval. He, however, said the government was yet to take a decision on the committee’s recommendations.Talking to reporters on Wednesday, Mr. Ramesh said the recommendations and the review committee report were submitted but these would be studied in depth before a final decision was taken by the Ministry.The GEAC said an expert committee, set up to assess the impact, suggested the commercial release of Bt brinjal.
There have been concerns over lack of bio-safety data of such crops having environmental implications and strong opposition from civil society groups and non-governmental organisations.Mr. Ramesh said the final decision would not be taken under the influence of any company or any NGO. It was wrong to say that the final approval had been given.Strongly disapproving of the manner in which some NGOs, particularly Greenpeace, were registering their protest, he said it amounted to blackmailing. Greenpeace activists were sending thousands of faxes from across the world.GM crops are those in which genetic material (DNA) is altered for some perceived advantage either to the producer or the consumer.
There are four varieties of brinjals on the table for approval with the important one being cry 1Ac.The research is also part of a USAID programme called Agri-Biotechnology Support Programme under a private-public partnership where three institutions — the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (Varanasi), the University of Agricultural Sciences (Dharwad) and the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (Coimbatore) are working with Monsanto and Mahyco.
Bt Brinjal has been under trial for the past nine years and was first sent to the GEAC for approval in 2004.It was cleared by a panel led by Deepak Pental but a review committee was constituted in 2007 when civil society groups and NGOs raised doubts over health safety and environmental concerns.The outcome of this committee was discussed on Wednesday and the GEAC cleared the commercial cultivation of Bt brinjal.
The Hindu, 15th October 2009
There have been concerns over lack of bio-safety data of such crops having environmental implications and strong opposition from civil society groups and non-governmental organisations.Mr. Ramesh said the final decision would not be taken under the influence of any company or any NGO. It was wrong to say that the final approval had been given.Strongly disapproving of the manner in which some NGOs, particularly Greenpeace, were registering their protest, he said it amounted to blackmailing. Greenpeace activists were sending thousands of faxes from across the world.GM crops are those in which genetic material (DNA) is altered for some perceived advantage either to the producer or the consumer.
There are four varieties of brinjals on the table for approval with the important one being cry 1Ac.The research is also part of a USAID programme called Agri-Biotechnology Support Programme under a private-public partnership where three institutions — the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (Varanasi), the University of Agricultural Sciences (Dharwad) and the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (Coimbatore) are working with Monsanto and Mahyco.
Bt Brinjal has been under trial for the past nine years and was first sent to the GEAC for approval in 2004.It was cleared by a panel led by Deepak Pental but a review committee was constituted in 2007 when civil society groups and NGOs raised doubts over health safety and environmental concerns.The outcome of this committee was discussed on Wednesday and the GEAC cleared the commercial cultivation of Bt brinjal.
The Hindu, 15th October 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Strong pitch against GM foods
Mahesh Bhatt, Ajay Kanchan and Devinder Sharma, the trio who made the film Poison on the Platter, a strong indictment of genetically-modified (GM) seeds, warn that tinkering with the GM technology is as dangerous as toying with nuclear arms."Once out of control, it is unstoppable and its damage cannot be limited," they said at a news conference here The three were in town to screen their documentary that aims to educate the layperson about the dangers of GM food, the unscrupulous commercial motive of giant multinational corporations that hard-sell GM seeds and products, and the nexus among scientists, politicians and multinational companies. The movie, made in partnership with 'Coalition for a GM-Free India' urges people to say 'no' to GM foods. GM seeds, which are made by inserting genes of desired quality from a cocktail of species into the seeds of a particular crop, might lead to unpredictable and horrible outcomes, they said. For instance, the gene that helps arctic fish to survive in freezing waters could be inserted to tomato seed to produce tomatoes with a very long shelf life. But, the same technology could also lead to totally unexpected results causing immense damage to humans and animals. The MNCs marketed the GM seeds by projecting them as disease-proof, insect-resistant and highly productive. Many of the claims were exaggerated and their side effects or negative impacts were always played down.Mr. Kanchan said the film was made after six months of intensive research and that the team was fully convinced that GM was harmful to humankind. He noted that though India had prohibited import of GM foods, so many foods and food grains, such as corn, imported from the U.S. were made from GM seeds.
The Hindu, 20th March 2009
The Hindu, 20th March 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Caution sounded against GM foods and crops
Thiruvananthapuram: India is emerging as a big, attractive market for GM (Genetically Modified) crops and imported GM foods, amid increasing concern over the health hazards posed by these products, according to Jeffrey M. Smith, executive director of the U.S.-based Institute for Responsible Technology. Dr. Smith, who was in the city on Tuesday to attend a workshop organised by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board, said genetically engineered organisms posed an unprecedented threat to agriculture, environment and human health. "Releasing GM organisms into the environment can lead to irreversible results that even outlast the effect of radioactivity and global warming. Animals fed on GM crops are reported to have died or developed diseases." Highlighting the demand for strict regulation on introduction of GM organisms into the country, he said studies had reported the possibility of antibiotic resistance and increase in allergies. "Human studies have proved that genes can be transferred to intestinal bacteria through GM food. GM peas developed in Australia and intended for India were found to cause dangerous reactions in mice and may have caused deadly human allergies." Dr. Smith said 65 health risks of GM organisms had been reported all over the world. "Assessments in India are not competent to identify most." Asked whether GM crops or GM foods were more dangerous, he said: "While importing GM foods can negatively affect the health of the population, allowing unregulated cultivation of GM crops will influence the environment and gene pool for future generations." He said intelligent decision-making was a short-cut to regulating GM products. "However, the ultimate solution lies in educating consumers and creating a tipping point for them to reject GM products. Political leaders, the intelligentsia and academic community should also be enlisted in the campaign against GM products to ensure continuity across changing governments and policies." Obama for labelling Dr. Smith said the new U.S. President, Barack Obama, was in favour of mandatory labelling of GM organisms. "But the presence of pro-GM officials in his team raises concern about the new government's approach to bio-safety issues." He said nine out of ten Americans were in favour of labelling GM products and 53 per cent of them would be ready to give up these products in favour of organic substitutes. Earlier, inaugurating the event, Minister for Agriculture Mullakara Ratnakaran highlighted the need for India to be declared a GM-free country. Kerala, he said, had already announced its opposition to GM crops. Terming GM crops unnatural, he warned that they could affect the natural equilibrium and ultimately lead to desertification. The Minister said rapacious multinational corporations were trying to bleed the environment for profit by appropriating seeds and food resources. This, he said, represented an affront to democratic values and a threat to national sovereignty. "Research studies on the impact of GM foods are still in their infancy." The Minister released the Indian edition of Genetic Roulette, a book authored by Dr. Smith. Chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board Dr. V.S. Vijayan received the first copy of the book. Member secretary of the board Dr. R.V. Varma also spoke.
The Hindu, 21st January 2009
The Hindu, 21st January 2009
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
GM-free status sought for State
GM-free status sought for State
Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran has written to the Union Minister of Agriculture Sharad Pawar opposing experimental cultivation of genetically modified crops in Kerala.The Minister urged the Centre to declare Kerala as a
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Plea to ban GM paddy seed
The Deseeya Karshaka Samajam has urged the Government to ban the genetically modified (GM) seed for paddy cultivation being used in the district, which is promoted by a multinational company. Samajam general secretary Muthalamthode Mani in a statement here on Wednesday said that GM seed was being promoted by the company to phase out the native varieties of paddy from Palakkad. Once the company succeeded in it, farmers would have to buy the GM seed at high cost and the fertilizer and pesticide for its cultivation from the same company. The paddy cultivated would also have to be given to the multinational giant. Thus, the farmers who were now in dire straits due to high cost of cultivation and low cost of the product would be further exploited by the company.
The statement said that the multinational GM seed company entered the State as part of the globalization and liberalization policies. Thus the farmers would have to fight against its operations in the district.
(The Hindu, 28.06.07)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)