A parliamentary panel headed by Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury is likely to review the clearance given for commercial cultivation of genetically-modified (GM) mustard by central biotech regulator Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
On 11 May, the GEAC had recommended the commercial use of GM mustard in a submission to the Environment Ministry.
The GEAC had given a ‘positive’ recommendation to the widely-consumed crop – but with ‘certain conditions’. With its green signal, GM Mustard was a step closer to becoming India’s first edible GM crop. The Environment Ministry will now take a final call on the matter.
The GEAC also reviewed a report of a sub-committee constituted to look into the safety angle of the commercial rollout of GM mustard and had put a number of conditions while recommending its commercial use.
"The agenda of GM mustard came up in a meeting of the GEAC today. It has given a positive recommendation. It has recommended the approval of GM Mustard for commercial release," a ministry official had told PTI.
‘Unscientific and Uncaring’
The decision had received sharp reactions from the many anti-GM activists who stated that GM varieties will bring huge losses for farmers since it would ‘monopolise’ the seed market.
Swadeshi Jagran Manch, an organisation that promotes swadeshi industries and culture, criticised the move saying allowing the commercial use of GM mustard would impact allied agri-activities.
We are against the commercial use of any genetically-modified crops, including the GM mustard. And we will request that the government should not allow its commercial cultivation. The productivity of the existing desi varieties are higher than this newly-developed GM mustard.Ashwani Mahajan, Swadeshi Jagran Manch
Some anti-GM activists asserted that in okaying the commercial use of GM mustard, the GEAC has “yet again proven” to be “unscientific and uncaring” to the health of citizens. Environment Minister Anil Madhav should uphold the BJP’s manifesto promise that GM foods will not be allowed and reject the GM mustard “just like the Bt brinjal variety was rejected seven years ago”.
'Sarson Satyagraha', a broad platform of hundreds of organisations representing farmers, consumers and scientists, said that the GEAC had ignored questions raised by scientists and chose to function behind a "shroud of secrecy".
"Earlier in the case of Bt brinjal too, they behaved irresponsibly and shamelessly unscientific. In this case, it is a hazardous herbicide tolerant food crop at that, which has direct implications on a large number of Indian farmers, agricultural workers and consumers," the body condemning the approval said in a statement.
Currently only Bt Cotton, which is a non-food crop, is commercially cultivated in India.
(With inputs from PTI)
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