The Hindu Business Line : Cotton-growing States unite against Monsanto

UNITED AGAINST TRAIT VALUE: The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (centre) at the inauguration of the meeting of Agricultural Ministers from seven States in Hyderabad on Friday. Others (from left) are: Mr Bhupender Sinh of Gujarat; Mr N. Raghuveera Reddy of Andhra Pradesh; Mr Bendeppa Kashampur of Karnataka and Mr Suryakanth Misra of West Bengal. — H. Satish

Hyderabad , June 9

Keeping aside political differences of their respective parties, the Governments of seven cotton-growing States have appealed to the Union Government to join them and implead in the case against Monsanto on the pricing issue of Bt cottonseed.

Besides signing an MoU for a "common understanding," the States also called for setting up a regulatory body to fix the trait value for technology products.

Speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting, Mr Bhupendra Sinh, Gujarat Agriculture Minister, said the States would stand united in support of the farming community when the case comes up for hearing in the Supreme Court.

The Agricultural Ministers of Gujarat, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh took part in the meeting, while other States were represented by their top officials.

At a meeting to discuss issues related to Bt cotton, they categorically stated that they were not against the technology or any company. Later, the States signed an MoU in order to guide the Agriculture Departments on the issue.

"This is just a beginning. We may later extend this co-operation on other issues. We will send the copies of MoU to other States," said Mr N. Raghuveera Reddy, AP Minister for Agriculture.

Earlier, inaugurating the meeting, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the AP Chief Minister, said though the States were not against technologies, they will not allow exploitation of farmers.

Mr Suryakanth, Minister for Agriculture of West Bengal, said his State, though not a major cotton-growing one, would extend all co-operation.

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