TNN | Mar 1, 2014, 04.06 AM IST
NEW DELHI: Condemning the government for granting permission for field trials of GM crops,Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday said the decision was in violation of Supreme Court orders and recommendations of a parliamentary panel and would only serve to benefit multinational seed corporations.
"The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) condemns the action of (environment minister) Veerappa Moily to approve these field trials and make this country a laboratory for risky GM crops and demands that all field trials be stopped and initiate an enquiry on the undue hurry of the minister's action," a statement released by the party said.
"It is unacceptable that Moily went ahead to give permission for these field trials even when a parliamentary standing committee on agriculture comprising MPs from various political parties including Congress party and other UPA allies had recommended against such field trials," it said.
The party also questioned the haste shown by the government in this matter. It said the SC appointed Technical Expert Committee (TEC) comprising of eminent scientists had highlighted the scientific evidence on adverse impacts of GM crops and the failure of the existing regulatory system in their final report submitted to the court in July last year and strongly recommended against any open releases including for experimental trials.
"The haste with which Moily is trying to approve field trials of risky untested GM crops before the court is going to hold a hearing on the final TEC report in April 2014, just a month away, shows the undue interest the minister has in getting these GM crops out into fields," the statement said.
It added that the government's decision will only benefit multi-national seed corporations.
"On the one hand, scientific evidence and scientists' voices on the adverse impacts of GM crops to human health and environment are increasing. On the other experiences with BT cotton also show that the only entity that is benefiting from the introduction of GM crops are the big seed corporations which get monopolistic control over our seed sector," the statement said.
"The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) condemns the action of (environment minister) Veerappa Moily to approve these field trials and make this country a laboratory for risky GM crops and demands that all field trials be stopped and initiate an enquiry on the undue hurry of the minister's action," a statement released by the party said.
"It is unacceptable that Moily went ahead to give permission for these field trials even when a parliamentary standing committee on agriculture comprising MPs from various political parties including Congress party and other UPA allies had recommended against such field trials," it said.
The party also questioned the haste shown by the government in this matter. It said the SC appointed Technical Expert Committee (TEC) comprising of eminent scientists had highlighted the scientific evidence on adverse impacts of GM crops and the failure of the existing regulatory system in their final report submitted to the court in July last year and strongly recommended against any open releases including for experimental trials.
"The haste with which Moily is trying to approve field trials of risky untested GM crops before the court is going to hold a hearing on the final TEC report in April 2014, just a month away, shows the undue interest the minister has in getting these GM crops out into fields," the statement said.
It added that the government's decision will only benefit multi-national seed corporations.
"On the one hand, scientific evidence and scientists' voices on the adverse impacts of GM crops to human health and environment are increasing. On the other experiences with BT cotton also show that the only entity that is benefiting from the introduction of GM crops are the big seed corporations which get monopolistic control over our seed sector," the statement said.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/AAP-slams-govt-nod-for-field-trials-of-GM-crops/articleshow/31193593.cms
No comments:
Post a Comment