Top

Kerala says no to GM crops

Assembly passes resolution urging Centre to drop its decision.

Thiruvananthapuram: The Assembly on Friday passed a resolution urging the Centre to withdraw the decision to grant permission for commercial production and cultivation of Genetically Modified (GM) mustard seeds.

Agriculture Minister V S Sunil Kumar who moved the official resolution termed the decision of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) of the centre to give sanction for the production and cultivation of GM mustard as “unfortunate”.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala,who supported the resolution, demanded a detailed discussion to which the minister said the government would hold a debate in due course.

The Centre should not implement the decision of the GEAC as GM seeds would adversely affect the agriculture sector, Mr Kumar said. The decision would result in the destruction of traditional seeds forcing the farmers to depend on multinationals for their cultivation. Most states were also against GM crops, Mr Kumar said. It has not been scientifically proven that GM crops would result in more yield.

Besides, GM seeds would attract new insects, Mr Kumar said adding powerful pesticides would be needed to safeguard crops from such insects. This would harm human health, Mr. Kumar said.

Some vested interest groups were trying to get sanction for GM mustard under the guise of achieving self-sufficiency in edible oil. Trials were on for 75 varieties of GM crops. The plan was to get approval for all crops one by one after getting sanction for GM mustard, Mr Kumar alleged.

Even well-known agriculture scientists like M S Swaminathan had opposed GM crops, Mr Kumar pointed out.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
Next Story