RSS affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) today demanded that government should not allow commercial cultivation of GM mustard as it would not lead to higher productivity and rather impact allied agri-activities including bee-keeping.
Biotech regulator Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has recently sought public comments on safety aspects on GM mustard variety developed by the Delhi University's Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants.
"We do not need any genetically modified crops including GM mustard. The productivity of existing varieties are higher than this newly developed GM mustard," Swadeshi Jagran Manch co-convenor Ashwami Mahajan told reporters here today.
The association said the GM mustard would impact allied sectors such as beekeepers, orchards and ayurvedic medicine makers and practitioners.
He said the GM mustard is not "Swadeshi GM" as genes that have been used are the property of multinationals, which want to have control on seeds. "Seeds are not patentable".
Mahajan also alleged that some members in the GEAC are linked with biotech companies and misguide government. "There is no scientific approach towards approval of GM crops."
Swadesi Jagran Manch also released a declaration after a round table conference attended by farmers organisation BKU, scientists, civil society members and activists.
"The bio safety report issued by GEAC is the propaganda of foreign GM MNCs and propogates their interests. This is trying to unscientifically, irresponsibly and undemocratically impose GM mustad on the poor Indian farmers," the declaration said.
The association demanded that the government should conduct its own as well independent studies from scientists to test all aspect of food safety before taking any decision on GM mustard.
Suman Sahai from Gene Campaign demanded that regulatory system should be transparent and there should be laws on labelling and liability before allowing commercial production of GM crops. "Why we are promoting GM mustard, if the yields are not high," she asked.
Environment activist Vandana Shiva also opposed GM mustard saying that it is "illegal" and developers have done "fraud science".
Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) general secretary Yudhvir Singh said the GM Mustard technology would not lead to increase in productivity but would monopolise the seed market.
"GM Mustard would also affect bee keeping. Without bees there would be no pollination and entire agriculture will be impacted," he said.
Lawyer Prashant Bhushan said that the government is all set to permit GM mustard despite Supreme court appointed technical expert committee had said that regulatory system should be strengthened.
"Only with the conservation of bio-diversity, environment
and soil can humanity survive and to do this we must not allow any patents on seeds," the declaration said.
Reacting to the Swadeshi Jagran Manch declaration, Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises, Agriculture Focus Group (ABLE-AG) Executive Director Shivendra Bajaj said: "GM Mustard has undergone extensive bio-safety trials and the result has not only been shared with relevant authorities but is also available in the public domain."
"There is absolutely nothing to show that the planting of GM Mustard will affect the bio-diversity in any manner whatsoever," he added.
"It is ironical that an organization which claims to be 'Swadeshi' has invited a 'Videshi' scientist to discredit 'Swadeshi' research," Bajaj said, commenting on the presence of Gilles-Eric Seralini from France in the conference organised by Swadeshi Jagaran Manch. Seralini is a known critic of GM crops.
