The mechanism for certifying the safety of transgenic crops and genetically modified (GM) food in India are most stringent and dynamic, the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), consisting of over farm scientists, said here.
At a press conference, R.B. Singh, President of NAAS, in response to the recent report by the Supreme Court-appointed Technical Experts Committee (TEC), said he was “highly disappointed” that the TEC was unable to submit a single, integrated report on the issue of field trials of GM crops.
He said the final report should have included the dissenting views of one member.
Singh said a crucial member’s views had not been included in the final report, referring to R.S Paroda, former Director General, ICAR, who had been included because of his expertise.
The TEC’s recent report was no different from the earlier one that had recommended a 10-year moratorium on Bt gene-based technology in all food crops, a ban on GM crops, he added.
“The five members of TEC have chosen to isolate Paroda in their final report and did not seek his views on the final report or include his inputs in their recommendations,” Singh said, adding that Paroda had to submit a separate report, with a request to the Supreme Court to consider his report, too.
NAAS pleaded that Paroda’s report, which stresses the need for exploring all scientific interventions, including transgenics, to ensure food and nutritional security, be made available to all parties concerned.
The case in Supreme Court has been filed by anti-GM activists and NGOs, seeking proper safety norms before for GM trials are undertaken.