October 06, 2016 10:30 PM

GM mustard, which received a nod from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, and was open for public consultation till Wednesday, is unlikely to be approved during the ongoing season, Anil M Dave, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, said on Thursday.

October 06, 2016 09:57 PM

The Environment Ministry has received over 700 comments from various stakeholders, including farmers and researchers, on the Assessment of Food and Environmental Safety (AFES) report on environmental release of Genetically Engineered Mustard.

October 06, 2016 07:21 PM

नई दिल्ली: जेनेटिकली मोडिफाइड यानी जीएम सरसों को सरकार की ओर से हरी झंडी मिलने या नहीं मिलने को लेकर बुधवार को जमकर घमासान मचा रहा। जैव प्रौद्योगिकी नियामक जीईएसी (जेनेटिक इंजीनियरिंग अप्रूवल कमेटी) के पास अपना पक्ष रखने के अंतिम दिन विभिन्न संगठनों के बीच बुधवार को भी जमकर आरोप-प्रत्यारोप का दौर चला। स्वयं सेवक संघ के सहयोगी संगठन स्वदेशी जागरण मंच की ओर से प्रधानमंत्री को लिखे पत्र में वैज्ञानिक दीपक पेंटल का नाम लेकर कड़ी आलोचना की गई है।

October 06, 2016 09:34 AM

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is inundated with hundreds of faxes and emails requesting Narendra Modi to step in and stop a pending approval to the controversial genetically modified (GM) Mustard. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the Ministry of Environment had set October 5, 2016, as the last day to receive public feedback on this controversial crop. Only a month’s time was allocated for the public feedback.

October 06, 2016 04:15 AM

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti last Sunday, people in huge groups came together to celebrate ‘Jashn-e-Sarson’ at Dilli Haat, INA. An initiative of the Tourism and Art and Culture Language departments of the Delhi government, the event was aimed at raising awareness by collecting feedback about genetically modified mustard (GM mustard) which might soon be approved by the central government.

October 06, 2016 01:05 AM

Moga, October 5: Thousands of farmers held a massive rally at the new grain market here today protesting against the SAD-BJP government’s “anti-farmer and pro-corporate” policies.

October 06, 2016 01:02 AM

Even as a designated regulatory panel has got a favourable opinion on genetically-modified (GM) mustard from its bio-safety committee, several states, including Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the two top producers of the oilseed, have come out against it. The development could thwart the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee’s (GEAC) reported plan to allow commercial cultivation of a GM mustard variety developed by scientists at Delhi University. If allowed, GM mustard will be the first genetically-engineered food crop to be cultivated in India; the previous UPA government had put a moratorium on commercial cultivation of Bt brinjal in 2010.

October 05, 2016 09:13 PM

NEW DELHI: A day after seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention to ensure that no permission is given to the genetically modified (GM) mustard, the RSS-backed outfit - Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) - submitted a 'blank paper' to the central biotech regulator on Wednesday, the last day of the 30-day period meant to receive stakeholders' comments on the application of the transgenic variety of oilseed.

October 05, 2016 08:13 PM

The Environment Ministry today refused to extend the October 5 deadline for receiving public feedback on the biosafety dossier prepared by its panel on GM Mustard, even as several organisations wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a ban on the hybrid product.

October 05, 2016 07:33 PM

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.

October 05, 2016 05:28 PM

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.

October 05, 2016 11:27 AM

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.

October 05, 2016 11:12 AM

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).

October 05, 2016 09:20 AM

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.

October 05, 2016 04:11 AM

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.