GM cotton and the Gujarat muddle
| The Gujarat government is caught into a mire when it has been instructed by the Union Ministry of Environment & Forests to destroy its 3000 and odd acres of GM cotton cultivation in the cotton belt of Mehsana, Amreli, Rajkot and Bharuch districts. The seeds have apparently reached the farmers through unauthorized agencies; and interestingly the farmers have shown great interest in cultivating GM cotton expecting better returns.Undoubtedly such acts cannot be condoned ; all the same the Union government must hurry up with her tests/clearance procedures so that the anxious farmers can go in for the gene revolution without undue delay. Importantly enough, the US Environment Protection Authority EPA has recently renewed the registration of GM variety , Bt cotton, and ordered the seed makers to monitor the long term effects on other plants and animals.It is reported that American farmers save over $60 million annually in reduced pesticide use, improved yield and reducing farm risk, adds EPA. |