The Hindu Business Line : Wheat imports

This is with reference to the article "Govt overrules ICAR objections on wheat import norms" (Business Line, September 11). It is a shocking and dangerous move by the Government to allow the import of wheat that is contaminated by two pathogenic fungi. Already, we have allowed a host of alien weeds, pests and diseases into the country through the import of food over the past few decades, with a harmful impact on our agriculture.

It is especially unfortunate that the Government is going ahead and relaxing quarantine norms, that too against the advice and caution of India's premier agricultural scientists. If this is the way things work in the `liberalised' trade regime, not only farmers but consumers too have to be really worried. Hence, it is all the more reason that the citizens of this country (as producers and consumers) should come together to protect our food security and safety.

Another major issue with which we need to be concerned is the US pressure on India through the WTO to dilute the regulations on entry and use of genetically modified food in India. If the Government decides to allow GM food import (which has already started), proper GM labelling is the only way for consumers to make an informed choice to avoid consuming GM food with all its attendant risks. Since the European Union and many other developed countries are raising strong objections to importing genetically modified food (many have banned the same), it should be a matter of concern to the authorities that the US is eyeing India as a dumping ground for such unsafe food products.

S. Usha

Thiruvananthapuram

Letters to the editor and contributions can be sent by e-mail to: bleditor@thehindu.co.in

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