Government should not allow commercial cultivation of GM mustard as it would not lead to higher productivity, but would impact allied agri-activities, RSS-affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) today said.
Biotech regulator Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) today recommended the commercial use of genetically modified mustard in a submission to the environment ministry.
"We are against the commercial use of any genetically modified crops, including GM mustard. And we will request that the government should not allow its commercial cultivation," SJM co-convener Ashwani Mahajan said.
The productivity of existing desi varieties are higher than this newly-developed GM mustard, Mahajan claimed.
He added that GM mustard would impact allied sectors such as beekeepers, orchards and ayurvedic medicine makers and practitioners.
Earlier, the SJM had said GM mustard is not "Swadeshi GM" as the genes used are the property of multinationals, which want to have control on seeds. "Seeds are not patentable," it had remarked.
It had also alleged that some members in the GEAC are "linked" with biotech companies and misguide government.
Environment activist Vandana Shiva had also opposed GM mustard, saying it is "illegal" and developers have done "fraud science".
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) general secretary Yudhvir Singh also said the GM mustard technology would not lead to increase in productivity but "monopolise" the seed market.
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