RSS affiliate opposes move to allow production of GM mustard

NEW DELHI: Raising strong concerns over use of GM technology in crops, RSS affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch has said it is not in the interest of humanity and environment and warned against grant of permission for commercial production of GM mustard.

In a strongly-worded letter to Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, the Manch has also demanded making public data emanating from field trials conducted so far on GM crops to allow scientific analysis of the same.

"Swadeshi Jagran Manch reiterates that GM crops are not in the best interest of humanity and environment in general, and agriculture and farmers in particular.

"Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, therefore, reiterates its long- pending demands that no permission is granted for the commercial production of GM mustard and the meeting of the GEAC for this purpose be cancelled," Manch national co-convener Ashwani Mahajan said in the lettet to Javadekar.

He said it is well established that claims of corporates engaged in promotion of GM technology are "unproven and to the contrary its ill effects are scientifically established."

"Swadeshi Jagran Manch expresses its deep concern over reports about the scheduled meeting of GEAC under your ministry for grant of permission to GM mustard.

"Reports suggest that field trial for GM mustard were conducted, some of them even without approval from appropriate authorities and are now set to enter commercial production.

"It is submitted that GEAC under your Ministry has failed to make the scientific data of these claimed field trials public (by publishing the same on their website," Mahajan said.

He said GM technology is neither increasing the yield of crops nor is it in any way decreasing the miseries of farming community and it enhances serious risks to the health of consumers as well as that of the soil.

It also increases the cost of cultivation manifold, while transferring the same to corporate as "immoral profits."