The govt has cleared the 'environmental release' of a genetically modified variety of mustard. The move has been challenged in the apex court. But exactly are they? And, what's the around them?
Claims that GM mustard will lead to increased yield are incorrect; we must focus on other solutions
GM crops will boost yields
Says GM technology important for food security, import reduction
The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre whether there was any compelling reason for the environmental release of GM Mustard failing which the country will be doomed
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) had earlier this year cleared the proposal for commercial cultivation of the GM mustard
GM mustard have started germinating after their environmental release and before the plants start flowering in few weeks they must be uprooted to prevent the environment contamination
Activists claims Centre misleading SC on GM mustard
As per the developer and some scientists, the GM mustard variety DMH-11 has a yield potential of 28-30 per cent increase over the most common mustard variant available in the country
The next hearing will be on November 29
'We received the seeds on October 22 and a case was listed in the top court on November 3. The seeds were already planted in between this period in field trial plots for evaluating the yields'
The government said the present rate of edible oil consumption in India surpasses the domestic production rate and at present, India meets nearly 55-60% of its edible oil demand through imports
"As India is importing and consuming oil derived from GM crops, opposition to such (technologies) based on unfounded fears will only hurt the farmers, consumers, and the industry," the affidavit said
This comes after the court told the Centre on November 3 not to allow the planting of genetically modified (GM) mustard until the next hearing
He said that there was no reason why the GM Mustard should be allowed into the country after objections from scientists from several countries
Almost 200 activists gathered outside the Directorate of Mustard Research in Bharatpur (Rajasthan), calling for halting the approvals
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The plea stated that the modified seeds can contaminate non-GM mustard crops and that the sowing of such seeds should be put on hold
Uncertainty surrounds the second attempt to introduce the genetically modified oilseed
The bench queried the Centre's counsel on the current status in connection with the environmental release of GM mustard