Hyderabad, Oct 5 (UNI) The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) was today inundated with hundreds of faxes from all over the country urging him to step in and stop any approval of the controversial Genetically Modified (GM) Mustard.

Why write a book on GM in food? That too, written by a molecular biologist specialist of GMOs and pesticides, and a Chef researching delicious organic food devoid of pesticides that we know are poisonous? It is just to create awareness that a world mafia exists behind the poisoning of the world’s food culture and its systems. Currently, India is debating the introduction of the herbicide tolerant GM mustard.

With a section of farmers protesting against the proposal to introduce genetically modified (GM) mustard, the Madhya Pradesh government will not allow field trials of the GM crop in MP.

NAGPUR: Activists, scientists and experts continue to oppose the ongoing process for clearance to GM mustard by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). They claim the process of calling for any comments by the public till Wednesday by the GEAC itself is flawed as is the science behind the development of the GM hybrid DMH-11 (Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11).

NEW DELHI: With the deadline of submitting comments of stakeholders on genetically modified mustard to the central biotech regulator coming to an end on Wednesday, both anti- and pro-GM groups have stepped up their efforts to bring finer points of their respective arguments in public domain.

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) and the BJP-led NDA Government seem to be in an undue haste to commercially release GM Mustard. This is despite the absence of any credible regulatory mechanism that can conduct long-term tests and ensure bio-safety concerns can be addressed. The data has also not been made public despite repeated efforts and even order from Central Information Commissioner. There have been different claims of conflict of interest as well as questionable claims being made regarding the productivity of the GM Mustard. It is notable that the herbicide tolerant variety will be compatible with Bayer’s herbicide and given the fact that Bayer has recently acquired Monsanto and plans are afoot to take over other agribusinesses too, the move will undoubtedly promote monopoly of Bayer and open gates for unbridled profiteering. The implications of the use of herbicides on health of humans, animals and environment are also cause for concern. Another concern that has been expressed is regarding the livelihood impact on poor peasants and agricultural workers who earn through the weeding operations. Many States have also come out against the commercial release of GM Mustard. It is relevant to understand the reasons for such a position by States and in a federal system such decisions cannot be imposed without taking States into confidence.

New Delhi: Rejecting appeals and protests from civil society and scientists, the Union environment ministry is not going to extend the time period to seek public representations on genetically modified Mustard crop and the ministry’s deadline for comments comes to a close on Wednesday.

Monsanto recently decided that it would stop the release of new genetically modified (GM) cotton technology because of “uncertainty in the business and regulatory environment”. At the same time, it was reported that GM mustard has moved closer to obtaining clearance for commercial cultivation in India following a key committee’s favourable assessment on issues of soil suitability and risks to health and ecology.

India is now the site of a “battle royalty”, in the struggle between localisation and globalisation of power, between freedom for India and its citizens, through swadeshi and swaraj, and freedom of a cartel of three MNCs — selling poisons as pesticides and pesticide producing GMOs. India finds itself (once again) torn between its unforgiven history and uncertain future state. Back in 1857, the sepoys of the East India Company’s private military rose against their indignant monopolistic “masters” in “the mutiny”. The Industrial Revolution brought with it colonialism. Colonies of cotton, indigo, opium (and other) plantations were installed, to feed the machines of the Industrial “Revolution” — patented machines, built by patented machines. The company was (is) a monopoly based on patented machines and patent letters. The Monsanto-Bayer (MOBAY) merger is a mere show.

New Delhi, Oct 4 (PTI) Raising twenty objections against the biosafety report put out by Environment Ministry on GM Mustard, environmentalist Vandana Shiva today said Independent studies, health and socio-economic factors should be taken into account before exposing 1.5 billion Indians to the "unscientific GM fraud".