Farmers say no to genetically modified mustard production

KOZHIKODE: The organic farmers and organisations in Kerala are joining a nationwide protest against the Centre’s bid to approve genetically-modified (GM) mustard. On October 2, they will organise protests in 15 different areas of the state and agriculture minister V.S. Sunil Kumar will join them in Thrissur, said the office-bearers of Coalition for GM-free India.

The Union environment ministry's risk assessment report on GM mustard categorically states that it does not ‘pose any risk of causing any adverse effects on human and animal health and safety’. It has triggered protests in many states in varying degrees, and the Delhi government itself has come out in the open against the variety.

Since the state government has already registered its dissent, only awareness campaigns are planned here, its core convener Sreedhar Radhakrishnan said. In Kerala mustard is being cultivated in parts of Palakkad and Wayanad. “The GM-mustard production is unnecessary, and no detailed study has been tabled for the same. Honey production and export will be badly affected as the honeybees are mainly depending on natural mustards for pollination,” said Mr Radhakrishnan.