Government must resolve grievances on health & Environmental concerns before moving towards GM crops
All India Kisan Sabha demands that all the grievances of farmers and public must be resolved before allowing GM mustard.
It is matter of great concern that the Genetic Engineering Appraisal committee (GEAC) has recommended to Central Government to allow the commercial production of GM mustard. AIKS have opinion that before bringing Genetically Modified mustard in the fields of country Government should clear all the doubts expressed by different organisations and individuals on health and environmental hazards. AIKS is not against any kind of scientific and technological upgradation in agriculture but all the precautions must be ensured to avoid any kind of negligence towards life of billions of people, environment and livelihood of poor farmers of country. The government should not provide benefits to corporate house involved in agro-chemical business, endangering the public interests.
As we know GM mustard is a modified crop so it can absorb huge amount of herbicides in this case it is glufosinate a well-known neurotoxin. GEAC has not provided any appropriate information about this research, amount of glufosinate it contains, Health safety measures, effects of this on environment, effects on balance of nature etc. The farmers of India have bitter experiences in the past about genetically modified BT cotton
The herbicide that contained by mustard seeds if sprayed will kill all other forms of life with chemical toxic which can adversely affect the environment and biodiversity. This kind of toxic crops should be tested with its long run effects but in this case there is no report of any blood analyses of animal that have consumed GM mustard for more than three months.
In India mustard is not only used just for oil or other commercial purposes it’s seeds and leafs are directly consumed in various eatables, and use for preparing ayurvedic medicines this makes the health safety point more important. Even the water will be contaminated due to this GMO. Also this modified seeds will provide patent to agro-chemical corporations squeezing old domestic mustard and they will enjoy monopoly on seeds and fertilisers used for this crop.
Agriculture is a state subject therefore Central Government must consult every state before taking any decision on it.
Sd/-
Amra Ram, President
Hannan Mollah, General Secretary
15th May, 2017
