Opposition to GM crop grows in Punjab

Academics, scientists and farmer activists have decided to submit a petition to the CM urging him not to allow field trials.

Environment groups and farmer organisations in Punjab have come together to oppose the controversial technology of genetic engineering to create genetically modified (GM) crops, even as the Punjab government is batting for it. The Union Minister of Environment and Forests, M. Veerappa Moily announced his approval to confined field trials of GM crops this week.

The Supreme Court after hearing a petition against GM crops had set up a six-member technical expert committee last year. The committee suggested an indefinite moratorium on such trials, unless shortcomings in the regulatory process were plugged with one member giving a dissenting note. Subsequently, the apex court had asked the government to submit its stand on this issue. Anticipating this move by the Centre, civil society groups met in Chandigarh last week to chalk out an aggressive strategy. A state coordination committee of coalition for GM-Free India was formed comprising of academics, scientists, farmer activists and religious personalities that decided to start a signature campaign and submit a petition to the Chief Minister urging him not to allow field trials in Punjab and not to issue No Objection Certificates to companies promoting GM crops. Giving the details, Umendra Dutt, executive director of Kheti Virasat Mission said that it was decided that people from Punjab will participate in the seed saver meeting taking place in Delhi and mobilise scientists and people of scientific temperament on various issues and concerns of GM Crops in a two day conference that will be held within the next two months.