New Delhi: Union government has not given permission for commercial release of genetically modified mustard, Environment minister Prakash Javadekar said Friday amid protests against introduction of GM food crops.
Javadekar said this after a meeting of biotechnology regulator Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC).
There has been a wrong impression that GM food crops will be given permission. The developer has asked for commercialisation. No permission has yet been given," Javadekar told reporters.
The meeting was held to evaluate the field trial of GM mustard which anti-GM activists alleged had violated bio-safety procedure laid down by the Supreme Court.
Javadekar said the developer has been asked for more details and all data would be presented in the apex court which has asked for the government's response on a petition filed by anti-GM activist Aruna Rodrigues.
The application for commmercialisation of herbicide resistant mustard DMH 11 was sent by crop developer Dr Deepak Pental of the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGCMP).
"We do not want to stop science , but neither do we want to impose decisions without consensus," the minister said.
GEAC’s chairman Hem Pandey said the GEAC has sought additional details from the developer.
Placard-holding protesters shouted anti-GM slogans outside Javadekar's office and handed over a petition filed by 41,000 people.
"We are protesting against the regulatory process that has been highly secretive and is anti-people," said Kavitha Kuruganti of the Coalition for GM-free India.
Organisations of farmers, including Sangh-affiliate Bharatiya Kisan Sangh(BKS) and some scientists are against GM food crops saying it will make the farmer fully dependent on seed companies.
Four states-- Delhi, Rajasthan, Bihar and Odisha -- have written to the Centre against GM mustard. India is among the countries which does not allow commercial cultivation of genetically-modified food crops.
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