Farmers to protest promotion of GM crops at Jantar Mantar

A large numbers of farmers and activists of various NGOs will hold protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on August 8 to oppose the Centre's decision to promote GM (genetically modified) crops.
Activist and founder of "Gene Campaign" Suman Sahai told reporters here today that "The Centre has no concern for people's health and it has decided to promote GM crops in the country without undertaking adequate research on GM food".
A large number of farmers and activists of various non-government organisations (NGOs) from different states will gather at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to protest the government's decision, she said.

"The central government has come up with the "National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill, 2013" and proposes to set up a biotechnology regulatory authority to act as a single window fast track clearance body, to facilitate development of biotechnology," Sahai said.
When most countries including the US are opposed to GM food, it's hard to understand why India is promoting GM products in the country, Sahai, recipient of Padma Shri in 2011, said adding, GM crops are neither healthy nor beneficial to farmers.
The Bill proposes to set up Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) to regulate research, transport, import, manufacture and use of GM organisms and products and is empowered to set up advisory boards to assist it, but the role of advisory bodies and their responsibilities are not clear, she said.

While European countries have allowed only one or two GM products in their countries, 72 crops are at different stages of research in India, Sahai said.
She also said awareness against risks of GM crops is much higher in Gujarat compared to other states.