Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 150
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 151
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Govt cover on GM mustard report

Govt cover on GM mustard report

Share this article Share this article
published Published on Jun 18, 2015   modified Modified on Jun 18, 2015
-The Telegraph

New Delhi: The Union environment ministry has refused to release bio-safety research dossiers on genetically modified mustard developed by Delhi University under review for possible commercial cultivation, activists campaigning against GM crops claimed today.

The activists said the ministry had turned down their request filed under the Right to Information Act for the bio-safety dossiers containing data on environmental and toxicity studies done on the GM mustard engineered with bacterial genes to make it herbicide-tolerant.

The non-government Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA), which had sought the dossiers, received a response from Ranjini Warrier, director in the ministry, that said: "The aforesaid matter is under process, and the information cannot be provided at this stage."

The GM mustard developed by scientists at the University of Delhi is expected to emerge as the first GM food crop to come under review for release for commercial cultivation since the ministry imposed a moratorium on GM brinjal five years ago.

Scientific panels had approved the GM brinjal for cultivation, but then environment minister Jairam Ramesh had ordered a moratorium after consultations with sections of the industry, scientists as well as activists.

"This GM mustard should be seen as an attempt to push herbicide-tolerant GM crops in India, starting with a variety developed in a university through public funds," said Rajesh Krishnan, convenor of the Coalition for a GM-Free India, another NGO.

Herbicide-tolerant crops are able to resist damage by herbicides, which will selectively curb growth of competing herbs around the cultivated plants. Krishnan said experts have cautioned against herbicide tolerant crops, given their likely adverse socio-economic impacts on rural employment.

The GM mustard that is likely to come up for review was developed by Delhi University with support from the National Dairy Development Board. Scientists associated with its development have said bio-safety studies have been completed and the data submitted to the environment ministry.

"Bio-safety assessment of GM mustard appears shrouded in secrecy," said Kavitha Kuruganti, convenor of ASHA. "Our RTI request has been denied, saying the dossiers are under process. All bio-safety reports are expected to be in the public domain under a Supreme Court ruling in response to a public interest litigation filed several years ago," she said.

The Coalition for a GM Free India said it has also complained to the environment ministry about violations of protocols during trials of the GM mustard in Bhatinda, Punjab, earlier this year.

"We've submitted photographic evidence of the violation of the trial protocols," said Pankaj Bhushan, co-convenor with the Coalition from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, who says he has been tracking field trials of GM crops across India.

The Telegraph, 18 June, 2015, http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150618/jsp/nation/story_26348.jsp#.VYJ4Hvkj55w


Related Articles

 

Write Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Video Archives

Archives

share on Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Feedback
Read Later

Contact Form

Please enter security code
      Close