EU members disagree over GMO free zones

EU environment ministers once again failed to agree on whether member states should be allowed to establish GMO-free zones for sensitive areas. The EU-27 environment ministers recently debated the EU’s GMO authorisation procedure in a council meeting on October 20. Member states clashed on  issues of protecting sensitive and protected territories and establishing GMO-free zones. Some delegations pointed out that the current legislative framework already allows for such protective measures if there is scientific evidence of risk. According to France which is currently chairing the EU council the ministers agreed on the need for better long-term environmental risk assessment. Several delegations demanded a revision of the European Food Safety Authority's guiding principles.

Protests in Orissa over Bt Brinjal

Orissa is facing protests as it is likely to host India’s first GM food crop for commercial production in the country. The opponents are alleging insufficient data on the safety aspects of the crop. The Bt brinjal seeds are likely to be sown in Orissa in November-December as part of the countrywide field trials conducted by the Varanasi-based Indian Institute of Vegetable Research.  Bt brinjal is developed by MYHACO a subsidiary of multinational seed major Monsanto. The GM variety produces a toxin that kills fruit and shoot borer (FSB), the most common insect pest afflicting the brinjal crop in the country.

Campaign against Bt brinjal

A The campaign against the introduction of GM foods and crops, particularly Bt brinjal, is gaining momentum. The campaign  ‘I am no lab rat’ was initiated by the Coalition for a GM-Free India, a network of farmers, consumer organizations, environmental and women’s rights organizations. Led by Hyderabad based Centre for Sustainable Agriculture the campaign aims at promoting an informed debate on GM crops and foods in India. In a recent survey, the Centre had found that only about 8 per cent of the people surveyed knew something about GM products. The campaign is demanding testing by independent organizations on the effects of Bt brinjal on humans and is asking states to announce themselves free from GMOs. Proponents however say that Bt brinjal will reduce pesticide use on plants.

SC asks government to restrict GM food import

The Supreme Court recently directed the Central government to restrict the import of GM foods containing living modified organisms without examining their contents. A bench headed by Chief Justice said the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), would scientifically examine the GM foods and crops before allowing their sale in the country. The Court said till the implementation of the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986, the GEAC would be the apex scientific body to regulate gene technology and micro-organisms to protect health, environment and nature. The order came on a petition which had sought court direction to ban the import of GM food till the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India starts functioning.

Monsanto faces biopiracy claims

The Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board is seeking royalty payments from Monsanto India Ltd for genetic information it alleges was ‘stolen’—SOMETHING IS MISSING HERE Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteria found in the soil of Mahanandi village in Kurnool district. The genetic information forms the basis of a genetically modified seed sold by the firm in India. The Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board is a statutory body set up by the Union government under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. This bacteria strain, claims the board, was  used for developing Monsanto’s GM bollworm-resistant Bt cotton seeds sold in India.  Monsanto however has denied the allegation saying that all Bt research was done in the US and Monsanto is doing no Bt research in Andhra Pradesh. The Board’s chairman R. Hampaiah has dubbed Monsanto’s act as “bio piracy”. He claims that Monsanto is using the same technology for developing pest-resistant versions of maize and tomato.