Maharashtra allows field trials of transgenic crops

29-11-13

State ayes ‘confined’ field trials of transgenic crops in 28 cases

* These crops include Wheat, Maize, and Cotton

* One of the applications was submitted by city-based CICR for a cotton variety ‘Suraj’ converted into Bt version

By Kartik Lokhande

While debate over impact of introduction and adoption of transgenic crops in the country is still raging, Maharashtra Government has cleared field trials of several transgenic crops in at least 28 cases. Interestingly, one of these proposals is of Nagpur-based Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR).

Following a heavy pressure mounted by NGOs and activists, Central Government had directed the agriculture input companies to seek ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) from the Governments in the States where they wanted to conduct field trials of their transgenic crops. In Maharashtra, there were no guidelines regarding issuance of NOC in such cases. As a result, Maharashtra Government formed a 10-member committee headed by eminent nuclear scientist and Padma Vibhushan Dr Anil Kakodkar.

The committee visited Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR) in the city in May earlier this year. During that visit, as ‘The Hitavada’ had reported then, the committee discussed 29 proposals seeking permission to conduct field trials of transgenic crops. Recently, the committee submitted its report to the State Government, following which the Government has granted NOC to 28 proposals for conducting ‘confined field trials’ of transgenic crops on State Agriculture University (SAU) farms.

Umakant Dangat, Agriculture Commissioner, confirmed the development and told ‘The Hitavada’ that the committee had received 32 applications and it granted NOC for ‘confined field trials’ to 28. “These trials mainly concern the transgenic crops of Wheat, Maize, and Cotton,” he said. Asked about the companies that had got NOC for trials, he named Bayer, Monsanto, Syngenta, Mahyco and others. Even the CICR had got NOC for conducting confined field trial of its Bt Cotton variety, he added.

Asked about the development, Dr Keshav Kranthi, Director of CICR said that he welcomed the grant of NOC. “We had a non-Bt variety called Suraj. We have converted it into a Bt variety and we have got permission for Biosafety Research Level-1 for open field trials. Though we have got the permission after a wait of two years and passage of this season, we will approach Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee for next clearance,” he told ‘The Hitavada’. CICR has got NOC for conducting confined field trial for cotton variety for ‘event selection to GM cotton varieties carrying Bt Cry1Ac and Cry1F for insect resistance’.

Meanwhile, in his letter granting NOC to companies/institutions for confined field trials of transgenic crops, Dr Sudhir Kumar Goyal, Additional Chief Secretary (Agriculture and Marketing) stated that confined field trials of transgenic crops were to be conducted at SAU farms.  The applicants will have to get examined their research and development facilities and laboratories (excluding DBT accredited laboratories) from joint team of Agriculture Department and SAU officials. Further, the applicants have to get verification of trait and gene nucleotide sequences, physical verification of presence of gene and expression of traits, flanking sequences, primer details at CICR, to verify genetic engineering aspect of trial.

After field trials, the applicants have to submit report to Monitoring and Impact Assessment Team on trait field efficacy evaluation, net economic trait value, ecological and environmental impact assessment, micro and macro economic impact assessment on farms and trade, social impact assessment, sustainability issues related to technology, recommendations after trial etc. Violation of terms and conditions will attract cancellation of NOC for confined field trials, stated Dr Goyal in his letter granting NOC to applicants. 

 
Published in The Hitavada CityLine on November 29, 2013

Activists oppose the move

Expressing strong displeasure over the Maharashtra Government’s move of granting NOC to field trials of transgenic crops, activists have warned of stopping the trials. “We will move Central Government as well as the Supreme Court to stop the trials,” said Kishor Tiwari of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) that has been opposing transgenic/genetically modified crops.

Tiwari alleged that Sharad Pawar, Union Agriculture Minister; and Prithviraj Chavan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra have supported multi-national corporations bringing in ‘dangerous’ transgenic crops into Indian markets. “Transgenic food crops pose a great health risk to human beings and also impact the environment adversely. Hence, many developed countries have banned these crops. Now, these companies have entered the Indian scene and they want to create their own monopoly in seeds of various crops. This needs to be opposed,” he said.

According to Tiwari, the committee led by Dr Anil Kakodkar comprised all the ‘pro-Government’ members and hence it took the controversial decision of granting NOC to companies for conducting field trials of transgenic crops, overlooking biosafety aspects and risk to human beings as well as environment. As far as Maharashtra is concerned, he said, Bt Cotton crop had proved to be a great failure and had resulted in suicides of over 10,000 cotton-growers over the past 10 years. “It is beyond comprehension as to why the Government is pushing forth the agenda of transgenic crop companies,” he added.

Kakodkar Committee and its members

The committee led by Padma Vibhushan Dr Anil Kakodkar comprised Umakant Dangat, Agriculture Commissioner as Member Secretary. Other members included Dr C D Mayee, former Chairman of Agriculture Scientists Recruitment Board; Dr R B Deshmukh, Guide, Maharashtra Rainfed Agriculture Mission; Dr S K Apte, Associate Director, Biomedical Group at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre; Dr K R Kranthi, Director of CICR; Dr Raviprakash Dani, Vice-Chancellor of Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PKV) at Akola; Dr K E Lavande, Vice-Chancellor, Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Agriculture University at Dapoli; Dr S V Sarode, Director (Research) at PKV; Dr R S Patil, Director (Research), Mahatma Phule Agriculture University at Rahuri; Dr G B Khandagale, Director (Research), Marathwada Agriculture University at Parbhani; Dr Ashok Jadhav, In-charge, State-level Biotechnology Department, Marathwada Agriculture University; and Dr S S Adsul, Director-Agriculture (Quality Control).

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