The press piece below relates to an important new report, "Impact of Bt Cotton on Farmers' Health (in Barwani and Dhar District of Madhya Pradesh)", which was conducted between October and December 2005.

Here's an excerpt from the press report:

"Dr Gupta said that all respondents had itching of skin, while 86 pct of them had eruptions on body and 56 pct had swelling of face where as in some cases, the itching was so severe that they had to discontinue their work, or had to work after taking anti-allergy medicine.

The use of the BT cotton seed increased in the past two seasons has surged the cases of allergies in the region."

Here are the conclusions of the report itself:

"All the evidence gathered during the investigation shows that Bt. has been causing skin, upper respiratory tract and eye allergy among persons exposed to cotton. The symptoms vary from mild, moderate to very severe to the extent that one women had to be admitted for 9 days as a result of allergy. The allergy is not restricted to farm labourers involved in picking cotton but has affected labour involved in loading and unloading Bt from villages to market, those involved in its weighment, labourers working in ginning factories, people who carried out other operations in the field of BT cotton, or farmers who stored cotton in their homes etc. Thus the symptom is affecting people widely exposed at different places. The symptoms were not restricted to one particular farm but several farms in 6 villages spread around 4 tehsils of 2 districts. The doctor of this area also has reported a spurt of allergic cases in the last 2 seasons in the cotton season. The agro scientist and some farmers and labourers have also pointed a finger on the Bt cotton and given explanations for this type of allergies. After considering all evidences, statement and opinions we an say that BT cotton is causing allergy to people.

The authorities concerned with approving, promoting and monitoring the Bt cotton need to conduct a detailed investigation on this aspect and appropriate corrective measures are needed. There is a need to spread awareness in cotton growing regions about the allergic characteristic of the plant so that people can identify the cause and take preventive measures."
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INDIA: BT cotton seeds cause allergy: NGO
http://www.bharattextile.com/newsitems/1998748

INDORE: The NGO's three member investigation team has suspected that a large number of farmers of Nirmar region suffer from allergies after coming in contact with BT cotton seed, sources said here on February 19.

The three member team comprising of Dr Ashish Gupta, Ashish Mandloi and Amulya Nidhi, carried out the survey in five villages and interviewed 23 labourers and farmers of Barwani and Dhar district between October and December 2005.

The team further revealed, the toxins inside the BT cotton seed which helps the cotton plant fight the deadly American Bollworm, was the main reason behind the allergy.

The team also admitted that the study was not a comprehensive one and it covered only those persons who had allergies and had been definitely been exposed to BT cotton plant or had picked up cotton.

Dr Gupta said that all respondents had itching of skin, while 86 pct of them had eruptions on body and 56 pct had swelling of face where as in some cases, the itching was so severe that they had to discontinue their work, or had to work after taking anti-allergy medicine.

The use of the BT cotton seed increased in the past two seasons has surged the cases of allergies in the region. So the team suggested to conduct a detailed investigation into the matter and also to take necessary measures to stop the allergies eruption.

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