Dr. Shiv Chopra, a noted micro biologist and food safety specialist, who played a key role in pulling the plug on Monsanto's Genetically Modified rBGH vaccine in Canada, addressing the media emphatically pointed out that "The approval (of Bt brinjal) will be the beginning of the end of Indian agriculture."
Bt Brinjal has been produced by inserting a toxin gene, Cry1Ac, from a soil bacterium called Bacillus thuringenesis [Bt] into brinjal plant using the technique of genetic engineering. Bt Brinjal has been developed by Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company Ltd [Mahyco], and the producers claim that by producing the toxin the plant will be able to kill the major insect pest in Brinjal, the Fruit and Shoot Borer. Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), the regulatory body approved the crop on the basis of the safety test data presented by Mahyco.
However, there is no long term feeding studies to prove the safety of this crop. Independent experts including Supreme Court nominee in GEAC, Dr. Pushpa Bhargava has pointed out that there are several short comings in the tests conducted by the company. The stiff resistance from different sections of the society following the approval forced the Government to conduct public consultations before taking a final decision.
The Public consultations at Kolkata, Bhubaneswar and Ahmedabad saw Scientists and farmers rejecting Bt Brinjal. Besides this, eight Indian states - Orissa, West Bengal, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have stated clearly that they would not permit Bt brinjal in their states.
Farmer Union Leader, Balbir Singh Blling, who was present at the press conference raised concerns related to agriculture, and sovereignty. "By controlling seeds, these corporations will control Indian agriculture, and the entire food system. These are the companies, which introduced fertilisers and pesticides suggesting that we could not do without them. Now, talking about their very ill effects, these very companies want to introduce this so-called panacea to all our problems - GM foods. This is unacceptable."
"Bt brinjal is a Trojan Horse and if permitted, will open the flood gates for over 56 crops, which are under various stages of trial across the country" said Umendra Dutt , Executive Director of Kheti Virasat Mission . He further opined that"."There is no reason for approving a risky crop like Bt Brinjal when there are tried and tested non pesticide management techniques developed together by State Agricultural Universities and farmers are being practiced in thousands of acres in our country."
Speaking at the occasion Mr R. K Kaplash, the Chairman of Consumer Coordiantion Council, an umbrella organisation of consumer groups in India called Bt Brinjal the greatest threat to consumer rights. "Once commercialised, there will be no mechanism by which a consumer could distinguish between a regular brinjal and GM brinjal, thereby killing consumer choice forever".
The coalition urged people of Punjab and Haryana to join the consultation in Chandigarh on the 29th of January and say no to Bt Brinjal for the sake of food safety and food security of the nation.
For further information, contact
Umendra Dutt of Kheti Virasat Mission +91-09814173342
R.K Kaplash of Consumer Association Chandigarh +91-9872682161
Notes to Editor
GM free Coalition is a coalition between NGOs, farmers, scientist and Consumer groups across India.