Bt Brinjal, GM Crops & Indian Farmers

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Dear friends,Please read the Editorial in Kisan Ki Awaaz - Bt Brinjal Fraud Exposed http://www.kisankiawaaz.org/article_full_31.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bt Brinjal Fraud Exposed

 

 

Feb 2010 - The year 2010 began with a new note in India which may be remembered in the history as a turning point where the people for the first time came out in the open questioning the scientific fraud of the first approved genetically modified food crop, Bt brinjal

 

After the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) approved the Bt brinjal developed by Mahyco in collaboration with the US seed multinational Monsanto on October 14, 2009, the Union minister of state for environment and forests, Jairam Ramesh took the wise decision to withheld its release and go for public consultations.

 

The advocates of the GM technology thought they would win the race by tackling a handful of NGOs. But this did not happen. People on their own came out in the open opposing the introduction of Bt brinjal -- be it in Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Nagpur, Ahamedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Bangalore. The protest turned violent in Kolkata. Farmers too joined in the protests.

 

The people have come to know the fraud committed by a handful of scientists in pushing the approval of Bt brinjal. A noted molecular biologist and a special invitee to the GEAC at the instance of the Supreme Court, Dr Pushpa M Bhargava has pointed out the flaws in the approval process and accused the regulator for skipping adequate biosafety tests.

 

Admittedly Bt is a toxin. Sheep and goats grazing over Bt cotton died and GEAC did not take any cognizance. Independent scientists across the globe have conducted several studies exposing the health and ecological hazards of GM crops. Now the Indian people have come to know that there are two classes of agriculture scientists one class who on the payrolls of seed multinationals like Monsanto and the others who are pursing science in public interest

 

The objective of the seed multinationals is clear. They want to control the entire food chain. The Monsanto charges heavy technology fees. The entire gameplan is backed by the US which is engaged in the geopolitics of capturing global food market through the introduction of GM crops.

 

Public protest against Bt Brinjal has drawn the attention of the political parties ranging from the right wing parties to the left wing parties.

 

Dr. krishan Bir Chaudhary

(Editorial : Kisan Ki Awaaz Magazine)

 

As president of Bharatiya Krishak Samaj, I had written to the Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh on February 5, 2010. He had acknowledged the same and took the decision on February 9, 2010 on the basis of my letter to withold the release of Bt brinjal on February 9, 2010. In my letter I have also appreciated the countrywide protests by the people. The letter has been printed in our monthly magazine - Kisan Ki Awaaz - which literally means Voice of The Farmers. Here below is the printed version of the letter alongwith the URL Link YoursDr KRISHAN BIR CHAUDHARYPresidentBharatiya Krishak Samaj

 

http://www.kisankiawaaz.org/news_full_2.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bharatiya Krishak Samaj letter to Minister of Environment & Forests on Bt Brinjal

 

 

 

Dear Shri Jairam Ramesh jee,

Feb 5, 2010 - Since the approval of the Bt brinjal as a food crop by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) in October 14, 2009, there has been series of public resentments and protests all over the country.

 

We appreciate your decision to withheld the release of Bt brinjal and go for public consultations. By now after public consultations in different parts of the country, we are sure that you must have personally felt the nature of public opposition to this genetically engineered food crop. The opposition is on the basis of sound scientific evidences and genuine concerns for food and environment safety.

 

Responsible citizens came on their own to oppose the introduction of Bt brinjal. The outburst of protest was severe in Kolkata. Similar protests by farmers, health experts, consumers were noticed in Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Chandigarh, Hyderabad. In Nagpur, the Maharashtra unit of Bharatiya Krishak Samaj met you and submitted a memorandum. The outfits of several political parties ranging from the right wing BJP and the Left parties are opposed to the introduction of Bt brinjal.

 

India is the centre of origin for brinjal. As farmers we are very much concerned that by genetic contamination by Bt brinjal many indigenous varieties may become extinct. Brinjal is also valued for its medicinal value in ancient systems of medicine and hence introduction of Bt brinjal will be a problem. Introduction of Bt brinjal will violate the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety to which India is a signatory

 

Way back in June 22, 2006, I wrote to the GEAC chairperson expressing my concerns. Reply to this letter which came about a year late in March 30, 2007 was evasive on many points I had raised.

 

There is no shortage of brinjal in the country. Rather this crop is grown in excess of demand leading to wastages. The advocates of Bt brinjal are putting up false claims of protecting the crop from fruit and shoot borer. There are 15 pests attacking brinjal. The farmers are successfully using conventional methods to control all these pests.

 

We are concerned that introduction of Bt brinjal will have adverse impact on soil microbial species, soil nutrients and micro flora. Bt is a proven toxin. Sheep and goats grazing over Bt cotton field died and GEAC turned a Nelson eye to these incidents which occurred in various parts of the country.

 

We have with us extensive studies done by independent scientists across the world pointing to the health and ecological hazards of Bt crops. The company data on biosafety are inadequate to address these problems. We urge you to stop the introduction of Bt brinjal

With warm regards Dr KRISHAN BIR CHAUDHARY PresidentBharatiya Krishak Samaj F-1/A Pandav Nagar, Delhi - 110091 & Tele/Fax 22751281 bharatiyakrishaksamaj, www.kisankiawaaz.org Our organisation, BHARATIYA KRISHAK SAMAJ (Indian Farmers' Organisation) is registered organisation under the Societies Registration Act of XX 1860 of the Government of India. Further the Bharatiya Krishak Samaj publishes a monthly magazine in English called Kisan Ki Awaaz.- This name in Hindi language literally means The Voice of The Farmers. This magazine is also registered by the Registrar of Newspapers of India vide no RNI : Del Eng/2009/30545. Kisan Ki Awaaz is also in the print and on the Web vide www.kisankiawaaz.org

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