JD-U against commercial release of GM mustard

Two days after the environment ministry put in public domain the risk assessment report of GM mustard, the JD(U) on Wednesday said the move “reeks of non-serious intent” and demanded that the hybrid variety should not be approved for commercial release. The members of the party, including MPs, argued during a demonstration that farmers have proved that high yields can be obtained through sustainable agronomic processes and termed the claims of higher yield through GM mustard false. “The three GMOs (genetically modified crops), according to its developers, will have higher yields, but they have been silent about the fact that the GM mustard has been engineered to be herbicide tolerant,” the party said in a letter to environment minister Anil Madhav Dave. It said that there is “enormous evidence” presented to the regulators by civil society groups to prove that the higher yield claim is a “false” claim. The letter was signed by MP Kaushlender Kumar, secretary Afaq Ahmed Khan and member national executive Aneel Hegde of the party. The members also held a demonstration at the environment ministry.

Earlier, the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants of Delhi University had applied for Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee approval for environmental release of hybrid DMH-11 for the development of new generation hybrids. The GEAC had constituted experts sub-committee to examine the biosafety data on GM mustard.

After the committee examined it, the report was placed on the environment ministry’s website on Monday.