No environmental release of GM mustard, 'at least till SC considers the case further'

By Rosamma Thomas*
On November 3, 2022, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Sudhanshu Dhulia ordered status quo on the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee’s (GEAC) decision of October 18, 2022 and subsequent decision of the Ministry of Environment and Forests of 25 October 2022 to allow environmental release of herbicide-tolerant (HT) genetically modified mustard DMH11 (Dhara Mustard Hybrid 11) in five states, based on an interim application filed by Ms Aruna Rodrigues in her pending writ petition.
No environmental release will be permitted, at least until the case is considered further on 10 November. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing Rodrigues, contended that the apex court in 2012 had constituted a technical expert committee with broad terms of reference to examine in detail the matter of genetically modified crops in India.
A press release from the petition said, “That committee called HT crops “unsustainable” and “unsuitable” for India; it noted that the herbicide sprayed on HT crops caused cancer; and said that non-GMO alternatives were available in the country; and recommended a “total ban” on all HT crops on the basis of the precautionary principle, as no long-term safety studies were done on the impact of edible GM crops in India on human health, animal health, and biodiversity.”
The government counsel had informed the court that GM mustard seeds were going to be planted in facilities of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
The court ordered the counsel to ensure that “no precipitative action is taken” until the application is heard and scheduled the matter for consideration on November 10.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing Ms Rodrigues, reminded the court of the committee it had constituted in 2012, the Technical Expert Committee, whose terms of reference were to examine in detail the matter of genetically modified crops in India.
Here are excerpts from the TEC report:

Conclusion on HT crops: “The major concern with HT approaches is the excessive reliance on increased amounts of one or two herbicides which results in strong selective pressure for the emergence of herbicide resistant weeds and a negative impact on sustainability... they are likely to be accompanied by negative socio economic consequences as well as on the environment. There are alternatives to HT ….more appropriate in the Indian context”. p.67 of TEC Report
“The conclusion of the TEC is that HT crops would most likely exert a highly adverse impact over time on sustainable agriculture, rural livelihoods, and the environment. The TEC finds them completely unsuitable in the Indian context”. p.71 of TEC Report
“The release of GM crop into its area of origin or diversity has far greater ramifications and potential for negative impact…. The TEC therefore recommends that release of GM crops for which India is a center of origin or diversity should not be allowed”. p.72 of TEC Report
In the case of HT Crops, “The evidence of harm is significant. ‘Roundup’ is also a potent carcinogen; it causes mammary cancers in rats which are equivalent to breast cancers in humans”. p.72 of TEC Report
“The bottom line for any biotechnology regulatory policy should be the safety of the environment, the wellbeing of farming families, the ecological and economic sustainability of farming systems, the health and nutrition security of consumers, safeguarding home and external trade and biosecurity of nation... Since there is public, political, and professional concern about transgenics with reference to their short and long term impacts on human health and the environment, their testing, evaluation, and approval have to be stringent, elaborate, and science based. The general approach therefore should be that: Biotech applications, which do not involve transgenics as biopesticides, biofertilizers and bio-remediation agents, should be accorded high priority.” p.93 of TEC Report
“Having examined the issue of HT crops in the detail required to arrive at a decision, the TEC recommends a complete ban on HT crops". p.93 of TEC Report

Bhushan reminded the court of its earlier orders and the submission by the Union government that as of that time no decision had been taken to release GM mustard in the environment. At that time, the government had also said that if such a decision were to be taken, it would be placed before the court.
The court asked Additional Solicitor General Ms Aishwarya Bhati of the current status of environmental release of GM mustard. She informed the court that GM mustard seeds were going to be planted in facilities of ICAR. The court directed her to ensure “no precipitative action is taken” until the application is heard. The matter is posted for hearing on November 10, 2022.
---
*Freelance journalist

Comments

Avoidable Narmada floods: Modi birthday fete caused long wait for release of dam waters

Counterview Desk Top advocacy group, South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP), has accused the Sardar Sarovar dam operators for once again acting in an "unaccountable" manner, bringing "avoidable floods in downstream Gujarat." In a detailed analysis, SANDRP has said that the water level at the Golden Bridge in Bharuch approached the highest flood level on September 17, 2023, but these "could have been significantly lower and much less disastrous" both for the upstream and downstream areas of the dam, if the authorities had taken action earlier based on available actionable information.

Biden urged to warn Modi: US can declare India as worst religious freedom offender

By Our Representative During a Congressional Briefing held on Capitol Hill, Washington DC, Nadine Maenza, former Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), has wondered why the Biden administration should raise issues of mass anti-minority mob violence -- particularly in Haryana and Manipur -- with Modi. Modi should be told that if such violence continues, the US will be “compelled by law” to designate India as one of the world’s worst offenders of religious freedom, she urged.

From 'Naatu-Naatu' to 'Nipah-Nipah': Dancing to the tune of western pipers?

By Dr Amitav Banerjee, MD* Some critics have commented that the ecstatic response of most Indians to the Oscar for the racy Indian song, “Naatu-Naatu” from the film, “RRR” reeks of sheer racism, insulting visuals and a colonial hangover. It was perhaps these ingredients that impressed the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, one critic says.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah* The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Our Representative Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Savarkar 'criminally betrayed' Netaji and his INA by siding with the British rulers

By Shamsul Islam* RSS-BJP rulers of India have been trying to show off as great fans of Netaji. But Indians must know what role ideological parents of today's RSS/BJP played against Netaji and Indian National Army (INA). The Hindu Mahasabha and RSS which always had prominent lawyers on their rolls made no attempt to defend the INA accused at Red Fort trials.

Asset managers hold '2.8 times more equity' in fossil fuel cos than in green investments

By Deepanwita Gita Niyogi* The world’s largest asset managers are far off track to meet the 2050 net zero commitments , a new study released by InfluenceMap , a London-based think tank working on climate change and sustainability, says. Released on August 1, the Asset Managers and Climate Change 2023 report by FinanceMap, a work stream of InfluenceMap, finds that the world’s largest asset managers have not improved on their climate performance in the past two years.

Evading primary responsibility, ONGC decides to invest Rs 15,000 crore in sick subsidiary

By NS Venkataraman* It is reported that Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) will infuse about Rs 15,000 crore in ONGC Petro-additions Ltd (OPaL) as part of a financial restructuring exercise. ONGC currently holds 49.36 per cent stake in (OPaL), which operates a mega petrochemical plant at Dahej in Gujarat. GAIL (India) Ltd has 49.21 per cent interest and Gujarat State Petrochemical Corporation (GSPC) has the remaining 1.43 per cent.

'State-sanctioned terror': Stop drone attack on Adivasis, urge over 80 world academics

Counterview Desk A joint statement, “Indigenous Peoples’ Un-Freedoms and Our Academic Freedom: A Call for Solidarity”, endorsed by over 80 signatories, including international academics, activists and civil society organizations, as well as diasporic Indian academics and researchers, working with Adivasi (indigenous) communities in India, has made an urgent appeal to prevent future drone bomb attacks by the Indian state on Adivasi villages.

Sales, profits of Indian firms 'deteriorate', yet no significant increase in cost pressures

By Our Representative The Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad's (IIM-A's) latest Business Inflation Expectations Survey (BIES), a monthly exercise, has said that while cost perceptions data does not indicate significant increase of cost pressures, sales and profits of the Indian firms have deteriorated.

Search This Blog