2007-01-03 | permalink

Stringent laws suggested for transgenic seeds in India

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture has criticised the provision in The Seeds Bill, 2004, that provides for ``provisional registration/clearance for two years'' for transgenic (genetically modified seeds) irrespective of such a clearance under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The Government proposes to allow provisional registration merely on the basis of the information furnished by the seed company. In its 22nd report, the panel has rejected the idea saying this would bring untested seeds and genetically engineered food crops into the market through ``the backdoor.'' Also, since the transgenic seeds cannot be released for commercial cultivation without the approval of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, provisional registration/clearance should not be allowed. ``This proviso to Clause (15) 1 in the Seeds Act should be deleted,'' the committee headed by Ram Gopal Yadav has said.

• The Hindu, India: Stringent laws suggested for transgenic seeds
• The Indian Express, India: Ahead of 2004 bill, farmers turn up heat over seed rights
• The Financial Express, India: Make changes in Seed Bill, urge farmers
• The Hindu, India: Bill should not compromise farmers interest: Committee
• The Financial Express, India: Panel backs farmers’ seed rights