GM-free Scotland

News | February '10 | India imposes a moratorium on GM aubergines

Image of auberginesOn 9 February 2010, the Indian Minister for the Environment, Jairam Ramesh, announced a groundbreaking decision over an application for approval of the cultivation of GM brinjal (aubergine) in his country. He said: 

“when there is no over-riding urgency to introduce it here, it is my duty to adopt a cautious, precautionary principle-based approach and impose a moratorium on the release of Bt-brinjal, till such time as independent scientific studies establish, to the satisfaction of both the public and professionals the safety of the product from the point of view of its long term impact on human health and the environment, including the rich genetic wealth existing in brinjal in our country.” (Jairam Ramesh, 2010)

This decision was taken under very unique circumstances.

The Indian Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) which is the authorising body for the cultivation of all GM crops felt the decision had too many important policy implications at the national level for it to take sole responsibility. The Committee, therefore, decided to leave the final recommendation to the government.There were good grounds for the GEAC's hesitation.

India is the country of origin of brinjal. It is a staple vegetable widely grown by small farmers. Also, it is used in cooked, raw and whole-plant form in traditional health-care, such as ayurveda. There are 3951 strains of brinjal in seed collections alone, and the crop is largely cross-pollinated. The potential for pollution from artificial genes to compromise the health of the people, the recognised holistic medicinal properties of the plant, and the considerable natural biodiversity, are very real threats.

Just last year, a re-evaluation of company data by independent scientists suggested that Bt brinjal could be considered neither 'substantially equivalent' nor safe. The vegetable contains 16-17 milligrams per kilo of the Bt insecticidal toxin which will remain in the final product. Not only were the GM brinjal found to have 15% fewer calories, but they had a different alkaloid (natural insecticide) content. Signs of disturbances in blood chemistry and liver health were seen in animals fed GM brinjal, and lactating cows fed this GM feed ate more, gained weight, and produced more milk: all symptoms of hormonal effects. The company had dismissed the data as biologically irrelevant and no independent studies of the novel crop have been undertaken.

In July 2009, a group of leading independent scientists wrote a letter to “respectfully bring to the attention” of the Indian Prime Minister the fact that his government was being fed erroneous information about Bt brinjal. They pointed out that ministerial representations in favour of introducing the novel crop were largely paraphrased directly from biotech industry promotional material, calling into question the integrity of the 'facts' and science presented.

The GEAC itself noted eight essential tests which the company had not conducted, and had previously asked for several additional investigations, before finally choosing to discard the need for them. Brinjal belongs to the plant family Solanaceae, which adds to the necessity of thorough safety testing. The Solanaceae include deadly nightshade (and potatoes) and all members contain natural alkaloid toxins which can have pharmacological properties. They have an inherent potential for toxin production which can resurface when their metabolism is disturbed.

Rising public condemnation of Mahyco, the company 26% owned by Monsanto which developed the Bt brinjal, has also focused the Indian government's attention. There is an outspoken fear that Monsanto is imposing a new kind of colonialism over the country's sovereignty of its food and agriculture. It is common knowledge that the introduction of Bt cotton in India happened only after the media and politicians had been bought. A former managing director of Monsanto India has revealed that in the past, the company used to fake the scientific data it submitted to the government to gain approval for its herbicides. The idea of this same company becoming a monopoly supplier of seeds and other inputs for food production is causing real public unease. Already, there are signs Mahyco/Monsanto is up to the same tricks as before: farmers have reported being given brinjal seeds to try out. No one knows if these are Bt brinjal, but one former GM regulator who seems to have served on Indian and US Department of Agriculture biotechnology bodies, has hinted that GM brinjal may have mysteriously managed to jump out of field trials or laboratories into farmers' fields, and has suggested “The Indian authorities should permit commercialisation of transgenic brinjal before this makes illegal entry into our farms and markets.”

The question of whether Bt brinjal is a sustainable way forward is clearly very much in Minister Ramesh's awareness. In a country where the regulatory infrastructure is unlikely to succeed in persuading farmers to plant sufficient non-Bt refuges to maintain the breeding stock of susceptible pests, Bt-resistant insects will inevitably emerge along with an urgent need for more chemicals or more GM. Minister Ramesh himself has been closely involved with trials of NPT (non-pesticide management) agriculture in India.

Well aware of the sensitivity of the problem, the Environment Minister embarked on a very thorough consultation exercise. He went on a seven-city road-show to canvas public views. The tour included two areas which represent 50% of India's brinjal-production, two areas with extensive experience of growing Bt cotton, one agriculturally advanced area, and two locations where there are major centres for biotech research and development. Ramesh listened to some 8,000 farms, farming organisations, scientists, state agriculture department officials, allopathic and ayurvedic doctors, student and housewives. What he learned was that in the two major brinjal growing areas 73-93% of the representations he received were opposed, and in one Bt cotton growing areas, 77% were opposed. At the final consultation, Ramesh was greeted by hundreds of 'farmers' waving placards and shouting themselves hoarse in praise of the transgenic vegetable. However, Ramesh himself was quick to point out that unnamed companies had bussed farmers and landless labourers in from rural districts to play the pro-GM crowd at the hearing that day.

Besides the public consultations, Minister Ramesh sought opinions from scientists in India and abroad, and paid heed to “a very large number” of e-mails from research institutes, NGOs and concerned individuals. He noted that seven (out of a total of 29) states had written to express apprehension. Since three states have already declared their intention to ban the Bt crop, which they have the right to do under India's federal constitution, Minister Ramesh must have been very aware of the political backlash which might result from its approval.

The Minister must also have been aware of the immense public campaign which sprang spontaneously into being. Within 72 hours of the GEAC approval of GM brinjal, the Environment Department offices were flooded with over 70,000 faxes and thousands of e-mails of protest. The media whitewash and biotech industry greenwash were by-passed by a continuous stream of information fed out on the blogosphere, and on 'Martyr's Day' (30 January, anniversary of Gandhi's assassination), more than 100,000 people fasted in protest against Bt brinjal. The 'Coalition for a GM-free India' rallied villagers and farmers and promoted the spread of information in the non-English press and blogs. Even political parties which make a habit of arguing, cried foul together.

Back in Scotland, our counterpart to Minister Ramesh issued a declaration of support: 

“We are ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with other nations who are opposed to GM and fight for what our people want. It is clear that concerns about GM exist in the developing, as well as the developed world, and I am pleased to see that the Indian Government has listened to public opinion.” (Roseanna Cunningham, 2010)

OUR COMMENT

Indeed, Minister Ramesh's consultation should be an example to us all: he listened to the people and their NGO representatives, the farmers, those with direct experience of a similar crops, and independent scientists. The biotech industry, with its bribes and persuasive propaganda, was recognised for what it and brushed aside. Next time you hear the Westminster Government or Food Standards Agency announce a consultation on GM. Tell them to take a lesson from India's Environment Minister:

  1. speak to those who have most to lose when things go wrong
  2. exclude anyone with any form of financial interests in GM
  3. look at the alternatives
  4. look to the future.

(PS Watch out for the latest biotech industry sound-byte making its insidious rounds. It goes something like 'people want new technology like i-phones, so why not Bt brinjal?' So GM food is no longer a life-form, but a domestic appliance.)

SOURCES



About Us | Contact Us | 2010 GM-free Scotland