Ask Centre to disallow GM crops, Jaya urged

CHENNAI: Farmers, trade unions and activists on Monday urged chief minister J Jayalalithaa to write to the Centre against approving any genetically modified food crops like mustard. While AIADMK in it’s election manifesto promised that there will be no GM crops in the state, activists say it is important TN asserts pressure on the Centre to ban even field trials.

“GM seeds can find its way in to Tamil Nadu from neighbouring states,” said national convener of Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture Kavita Kuruganti.

Supporting this were president of TN Traders’ Association Vellaiyan, president of Cauvery Delta Farmers’ Association Dhanapal, V Suresh from People’s Union for Civil Liberties and Pamayan from Talanmai Uzhavar Iyakkam.

Genetic modification is a living technology, which is messy, irreversible and studies have shown its harmful effects on health and environment, said Kuruganti.

“Agriculture and health are state subjects. When something goes wrong, the state is responsible – not the Centre. Therefore, it is important that the Tamil Nadu CM writes to the Centre to prevent GM crops from being used in the country.”

Wearing a black shirt on Independence day as a sign of protest, Vellaiyan said the policies of the Centre were dangerous for states. “The government is ready to procure seeds from corporate entities. These seeds can be used only once as there will be no progeny. We will have no choice but to continue buying seeds from those companies. This will take away our seed sovereignty,” he said. Echoing similar sentiment, Dhanapal said, “Release of genetically modified brinjal was stopped after protests in 2010. We should also stop mustards in the same way,” he added.