IB report: Reactions of Greenpeace and ABLE-AG

Dear friends, 

As you all know, a controversy is raging over the recent report of Intelligence Bureau (IB) stating that some foreign-funded NGOs are 'actively stalling development in India. Prominent NGOs like Greenpeace have flayed the IB report. Whereas, Association of Biotech Led Enterprises-Agriculture Group (ABLE-AG)has welcomed the report and has stated that NGO activism has jeopardised investment of over Rs 10,500 crore from public and private sector. 

Against this backdrop, here are press releases of both -- Greenpeace and ABLE-AG -- verbatim. I hope these make an interesting read in their original form and content.

Greenpeace press release:

‘Malicious Report Riddled with Mistruths’: Greenpeace India

June 19, 2014

New Delhi: Greenpeace India today rubbished allegations made by the two IB reports that were leaked consecutively within one week. Greenpeace India believes that this leak is a concerted effort by parties with vested interest to ensure elimination of any opposition. Since Greenpeace India has emerged as one of the primary voices opposing coal mining and nuclear power projects, the NGO has been specifically targeted to show the world, how the Indian government wants to crush any kind of opposition.

"The strategy, it seems, is to discredit the organisation towards the long term goal of removing obstacles for pushing fast clearances. But discrediting Greenpeace will not save the world from climate change. Ours is probably the last generation that can make a difference to curb climate change," says Samit Aich, Executive Director, Greenpeace India.

Over the past few years Greenpeace India's activities has led to anger among people in the government as well as corporate entities. And the timing and the purpose of the leak seem very suspicious.

Such malicious reports however, will not stop Greenpeace India in fighting for a better future. "They plan to create a wave of anger and discontent amongst the public and over a quarter million supporters with blatant lies and half truths. Both the reports are riddled with mistruths and factual errors. We will continue to challenge fossil fuels and dangerous technologies across the world and in India. We will campaign for greater investments in ecologically sustainable, clean and safe practices both in agriculture and energy, and demand for equitable development," says Aich.

Such efforts to crush the spirit of individualism and social justice can never be successful.

***********************************************************************************

Worst fears on NGOs’ design come true in IB Report: ABLE AG

• Over Rs 10,500 cr public and private sector investments in jeopardy due to NGO activism
• Sustained campaign led to derailment of vital GM technology in India depriving millions of Indian farmers of opportunity to enhance their economic and social lives
• Report appropriately and comprehensively exposes NGOs

New Delhi, June 20, 2014: The Association of Biotech Led Enterprises - Agriculture Group (ABLE-AG) – an industry body representing agri biotechnology companies has said that the recent Intelligence Bureau (IB) Report on foreign funded NGOs confirms a longstanding suspicion of the industry. The Report, says ABLE AG, “appropriately and comprehensively exposes how few NGOs are active against the economic, social, developmental interests of India”. The Association also lauded the subsequent action by Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India to put on hold foreign funding of some NGOs as these funds are reportedly being used for surreptitious motives.

The report further highlights how these NGOs have diligently worked towards derailing the diffusion of progressive crop biotechnology in India, which has seen benefits with millions of farmers across the globe.

“Our crop yields and animal productivity is one of the lowest globally. Blending modern tools of biotechnology with conventional breeding is essential to produce the required food, fodder, fiber and fuel per unit land area. Technology introduction of genetic modification in crops should be evaluated in the context of crops and traits in which traditional methods have reduced crop improvements or would take too long to develop. Biotech applications in agriculture may be used not in isolation but as a part of the package of solutions to address the economic and social needs of a growing population,” said Ram Kaundinya, Chairman, ABLE AG.

Today Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra are among the most progressive states in the country because they took the lead to undertake R&D in Bt Cotton and its subsequent introduction, which helped lakhs of farmers to gain enormous benefits.

“It is a pity that just when the country was about to take further steps in deploying biotechnology in more crops the unfortunate moratorium on Bt Brinjal was imposed in 2010, under pressure from the same NGOs,” he added.

As a result, R&D activities in GM crops by both public and private sectors were put on hold since 2010, causing enormous delay in making these technologies available to farmers. There are over 50 applications for initiating biotech research and field trials of various biotech enabled crops pending with the GEAC. At stake is over Rs 8,000 crore invested in research in the sector by public sector institutions over the past five years. The private sector which is being increasingly maligned too is investing about Rs 2,700 crore a year into research. This is research that is being conducted by Indian researchers, in India, for the Indian farmer.

“We urge the Narendra Modi government to ensure that the process of research including open-field trials under the supervision of existing regulatory bodies does not get halted. Field trials are parts of research to ensure that the data generated helps to scientifically evaluate bio-safety, food safety and the efficacy of the genetically modified seeds, and any attempt to discourage such tests conducted under strict supervision of the regulators is a retrograde step,” Kaundinya added.

ABLE AG strongly advocates adoption of biotechnology for the benefits of farmers and food security of the country. We request the government to take all possible measures for the fearless promotion of suitable technologies that will help the nation to develop in different spheres of economy. Many traits like WaterUse Efficiency, Salt Tolerance and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in addition to Insect Resistance and Herbicide Tolerance are waiting to be deregulated so that the country can derisk the lives of millions of farmers.

India’s population is expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2025 and additional food is needed. Crop improvement solely by conventional methods to enhance food production by 2050 would be inadequate. Crop losses due to climatic conditions, pests, diseases and declining soil fertility, should be additionally factored in.

ABLE-AG strongly refutes the allegations of the four NGOs  that the corporates influenced the IB report and dismisses them with utmost contempt that they deserve. This kind of malicious propaganda is aimed at tarnishing the image of premier Institutions like the IB.