38.6c New Delhi, India, Thursday, March 28, 2024
Judiciary

Ban on GM seeds -- a death knell to dreams of many farmers', farmers’ body in SC opposes plea against GM mustard [Read IA]

By LawStreet News Network      21 November, 2022 06:25 PM      0 Comments
Ban on GM seeds -- a death knell to dreams of many farmers', farmers’ body in SC opposes plea against GM mustard

NEW DELHI: A farmers’ body has approached the Supreme Court to oppose a plea against release of GM Mustard, saying that a ban of technologies like GM seeds would worsen the plight of farmers as the old-method of farming has proved to be a failure in dry regions of India.

Shetkari Sanghatana, a pan-Maharashtra farmers’ group, said any judicial order against the use of GM crops would violate the rights of the farmers to “choose and live a dignified life”.

Earlier, the Sanghatana had favoured the three farm laws, which were repealed by the government following large-scale farmers’ protests.

Recently, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) allowed the environmental release of GM mustard for seed production and testing. The court, however, asked the government to maintain status quo in the matter.

The farmers’ organisation's intervention application was filed in a pending case filed by activist Aruna Rodrigues, which sought moratorium on the environmental release of GM Mustard.

The organisation said the anti-GM organisations and activists in India have had a long history of amplifying anti-GM studies and viewpoints that have been largely discredited by the global scientific community.

“The anti-GM crop crusaders also seem unconcerned with the rising food insecurity and global inflation. It is stated that GM crops are an answer to the economic woes of Indian farmers and hence a blanket ban may blow a death knell to dreams of many farmers of States like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Punjab, who use scientific means of cultivation,” it said.

“The Sanghatana has been a champion of GM seeds and crops and believes that a ban on technologies like GM seeds would worsen the plight of farmers as old- method of farming has proved to be a failure in dry regions of India. Furthermore, the Sanghatana's support to use of GM seeds and crops is backed by scientific data and research by leading organizations of India and abroad, working in this sphere of agriculture,” the plea added.

It further said the organisation firmly believes that farmers should be free to choose GM technology as a ban on use of GM seeds would make them dependent on old-methods of farming, and deteriorate their living conditions. “A direction/order by this court against the use of GM crops would violate the rights of these farmers to choose and live a dignified life. Hence, it is expedient in the interest of justice that farmer organizations like this applicant are heard before this subject writ petition is disposed of," it added.

Rodrigues had filed the plea opposing open-field trials or commercial release of herbicide tolerant (HT) crops, including GM Mustard in 2016 and then in 2021.

Earlier this month, the petitioner told the apex court that SC-appointed technical expert committee (TEC) had recommended a total ban on all HT crops.

Contesting her claim, the farmers’ body said the report has not been made public and hence the applicant cannot specify its concerns, if any, objectively. “Any decision by this court, based on the said report, without hearing farmers or farmer bodies like this applicant, would cause grave prejudice to farmers all over India. Hence, it is in the interest of justice that the applicant herein is permitted to present data and research papers to evidence that GM seeds and crops are indeed beneficial for farmers in India," the application said.

The organisation said there is widespread consensus among scientists on the safety of GM crops. Various meta-studies which have assessed the effects of GM crops and foods relative to their traditional counterparts have found no detrimental effects on the environment or on human health, it added.

The farmers’ organisation said recently, Australia has given approval to use of Indian GM mustard seeds, which shows that the scare over toxicity of GM crops is unfounded. “Farmers across India, particularly those in Maharashtra, have immensely benefited by the use of Bt Cotton. The yield of Bt cotton as compared to traditional seeds is four times. Bt cotton has not only elevated life conditions of farmers by increasing crop yields but has also given them the opportunity and means to indulge with more scientific methods of farming”, said the plea.

In an affidavit, the Centre has also said that genetically modified (GM) mustard will contribute to India’s self-sustenance with respect to production of edible oil and it will go a long way in realizing the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) said increased domestic production of edible oil due to deployment of GM mustard hybrids will reduce the dependency on other exporting countries. The government said the present rate of edible oil consumption in India surpasses the domestic production rate and at present, India meets nearly 55-60 per cent of its edible oil demand through imports.

The MoEFCC said the release of GM mustard parental lines would allow public and private organizations to produce productive hybrids of their own and DMH-11 is the first hybrid developed using the barnase/barstar technology, more will follow.

On November 17, the apex court took on record the application by farmers’ organization. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled on November 29.
Read IA



Share this article:

User Avatar
About:


Leave a feedback about this
TRENDING NEWS

sc-declines-to-reconsider-judgement-holding-conspiracy-to-be-scheduled-offence-under-pmla-only-if-offence-specifically-mentioned
Trending Judiciary
SC declines to reconsider judgement holding conspiracy to be scheduled offence under PMLA only if offence specifically mentioned [Read Order]

Supreme Court declines review, confirms conspiracy must relate to a scheduled offence under PMLA, dismissing appeal on money laundering charges.

27 March, 2024 07:40 PM
arvind-kejriwals-plea-for-interim-release-rejected-by-delhi-high-court
Trending Judiciary
Arvind Kejriwal's plea for interim release rejected by Delhi High Court [Read Order]

Delhi High Court rejects Arvind Kejriwal's plea for interim release in money laundering case related to liquor policy scam, pending ED's response.

28 March, 2024 10:50 AM

TOP STORIES

global-entertainment-giants-warner-bros-netflix-amazon-get-relief-from-delhi-hc-in-copyright-protection-case
Trending Business
Global entertainment giants Warner Bros, Netflix, Amazon get relief from Delhi HC in copyright protection case

Delhi HC grants relief to global entertainment giants like Netflix, Amazon, Warner Bros, ordering takedown of copyrighted content on rogue websites.

22 March, 2024 12:13 PM
arvind-kejriwal-arrested-can-cm-administer-a-region-while-being-in-jail
Trending Top Stories
Arvind Kejriwal Arrested | Can CM administer a region while being in jail?

Will President's rule be imposed in Delhi after Kejriwal’s arrest? Read the full article to know more.

22 March, 2024 03:16 PM
merely-because-you-are-politician-cant-bypass-statutory-remedies-procedure-sc-refuses-to-consider-bail-by-kavitha
Trending Judiciary
'Merely because you are politician, can't bypass statutory remedies, procedure,' SC refuses to consider bail by Kavitha

Supreme Court denies bail to politician Kavitha in Delhi Liquor Policy Scam; ED alleges Rs 100 crore illegal gratification.

22 March, 2024 03:34 PM
ponmudi-to-be-sworn-in-as-minister-tn-governor-relents-before-sc
Trending Judiciary
Ponmudi to be sworn in as Minister, TN Governor relents before SC

Tamil Nadu Governor relents to Supreme Court's order, agrees to swear in DMK leader K Ponmudi as Minister after court's rap.

22 March, 2024 03:54 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email