With the Union government gearing up to take a decision on whether to allow genetically modified (GM) mustard, anti-GM activists, non-governmental organisations and farmers’ associations have decided to exert pressure on States to stall any move to allow GM in food crops.
Arguing that agriculture is a State subject and that States have to bear the brunt of any fallout, the activists have decided to meet the representatives of State governments and Opposition parties.
“We would like to bring it to the notice of legislative members and take it up in the Assemblies. We will ask the States to press for proper bio-safety tests and detailed information on the tests,” Kavitha Kuruganti, who represents the Coalition for GM-Free India, told
In Hyderabad to take part in a round-table to discuss the GM mustard issue, she alleged that those who backed the introduction of GM mustard were not revealing detailed information on issues related to bio-safety. “GM in food crops is not acceptable. There was a huge public outcry a few years ago when they tried introduce GM in brinjal. The decision has been put in abeyance ever since,” she pointed out.
Representatives from the Rythu Swarajya Vedika, Congress Kisan Cell (Telangana), Bharatiya Kisan Sangh and All-India Kisan Sangh were among those who opposed the move to sanction permission for commercial release of GM mustard.