US Threat On India's GMO Labelling + Global Climate Change & Indian Monsoon Rains

[Guest guest]

In This NEWS Bulletin ******************************** 1. US has threatened India for initiating Mandatory Labelling of GM Foods. FARM FRONT analyses US objections and urges for going ahead with Labelling Norms 2. GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE : Indian Monsoon Rainfall's Shifting Pattern ------------------------------ FARM FRONT Column Ignore US threat, go for GM labelling http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=139278 ASHOK B SHARMA Posted online: Monday, September 04, 2006 at 0000 hours IST India’s attempt to formulate mandatory labelling laws for genetically modified (GM) foods has met with the US challenge in the WTO committee on

technical barriers to trade (TBT). This was, however, expected as the US does not favour mandatory labelling of GM foods. It is of the view that GM foods are “substantially equivalent” to their non-GM counterparts and labelling of GM food would amount to “trade restrictive measures.” This raises a very basic question. If US believes that GM foods are substantially equivalent to their non-GM counterparts, then why it is called “novel food” and why there is a need to patent such innovations ? A gene inserted into the crop through transgenic technology with the help of markers and promoters will definitely make it behave in a different manner. The developers of transgenic crops do claim that the concerned crops are “herbicide tolerant, pest tolerant” and so on. This is enough to prove that GM crops are not substantially equivalent to their non-GM counterparts. Mandatory labelling

of GM foods is for giving the consumers an informed choice. It is strange for the country like US which is the largest democracy in the world to deny informed choice to consumers in the name of “restrictive trade measures.” US through its Bioterror Preparedness Act wants disclosures on imported food items. US Food and Drugs Administration (USFDA) insists on disclosures about serval ingredients used in food item. Then why should the case be different for GM foods ? It is the duty of national governments to protect the health of its citizens. There are reported cases across the world about health hazards relating to GM foods. India’s proposal for mandatory labelling of GM food is an humble attempt to give consumers an informed choice and to protect the health of its citizens. US has also said that India should refer its mandatory labelling norms for GM foods to WTO also under sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS)

measures. This demand is totally misplaced. Simply labelling of GM food does not imply an SPS measure. Denying imports of GM food may involve an SPS measure. Mandatory labelling is necessary to check imports of unapproved GM foods. There are already reported cases of such unapproved GM foods entering the country. Many countries, including India have their own approval process for GM crops and foods, based on established scientific principles. India has so far approved only Bt cotton, which means that all other GM products entering the country are unapproved. The commerce ministry in its changes to the Foreign Trade Policy has rightly inserted the provision for mandatory labelling of GM products. It has prescribed penalty for importers for importing unlabelled GM products. However, as the health ministry could not yet put in place the detailed guidelines, the the commerce ministry’s new provision for mandatory

labelling has been kept in abeyance till March 31, 2007. US has also questioned India’s Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) role. It said “The scope of the 1989 Rule under the 1986 Environment Protection Act is vague and appears to be broader than any other existing regulatory system in the world for biotechnology products, ie covering products such as cheese, wine, beer or other fermented products made using enzymes produced by genetically engineered bacteria.” Saying so US hinted at the recent pact it has signed with India on farm research. Does this mean that US want our GM approval laws be changed to suit its purpose ? Before doing so we must know that the slack USFDA rules have been already challenged by interest groups in the law court in that country. Earlier in US the hazardous GM Star Link corn, which was meant for animal consumption, slipped into the food chain. All such contaminated food

items had to be recalled from retail stores. Recently there is a case of US long-grain rice being contaminated with the GM variety LLRICE-601. LLRICE-601 is not approved for human consumption. The European Union which has appropriate laws in place has acted in time to check imports of contaminated rice. US should know that countries have the right to refuse imports on GM products by invoking the precautionary principles under the Cartagena Protocol.----------- GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE : Shifting Pattern In Indian Monsoon Rainfall This monsoon has spoiled the crop party http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=139183 ASHOK B SHARMA Posted online: Saturday, September 02, 2006 at 0000 hours IST

NEW DELHI, SEPT 1: A marked shift in the monsoon rainfall pattern this year has affected cultivation in major crop-producing states. While the flood-prone areas of north-eastern India and Bihar are dry, drought-prone states like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan are witnessing a deluge. As a result, Assam may end up producing less rice this year, the central Indian soybean crop could turn robust, and groundnut and sesamum crops in Gujarat and Rajasthan could take a hit. The shift in pattern was first noticed last year. But official meteorologists are yet to establish a direct link between the new rainfall pattern and the global climate change. The area under paddy cultivation in Assam has shrunk by about 7% and the state is affected by drought. But, according to the agriculture ministry, “this is no major cause for major concerns. The total area under paddy

cultivation in the country has increased by about 1.615 million hectares”. The crop-weather watch group of the ministry has noted a countrywide decline in area under oilseed cultivation by about one million hectares. The area under coarse cereals has shrunk in states witnessing heavy rains, with farmers diverting to other paying crops that require more water. The Natural Disaster Management Division of the home ministry is, however, yet to publicise the estimated loss due to floods. A ministry official said, “The flood loss may be more or less the same as in previous years. Floods used to occur in Bihar, north-eastern India and Himachal Pradesh, and this year, they occurred in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.” In the past 3 months, the average cumulative rainfall has been 2% below normal. India has received 69.9 cm rains out of the usual 71 cm. The southwest monsoon is slated to begin withdrawing this month

and the country can, at best, expect another 18 cm of rain, say Met experts.-------------

Here's a new way to find what you're looking for - Answers Send FREE SMS to your friend's mobile from Messenger Version 8. Get it NOW