On 31st January 2007 there's a major hearing in the Supreme Court in India on GM crops. The organisers of this petition want to be able to show that there's massive worldwide support for calling a halt to the problems being inflicted by GM crops on India. They can only do that with your support. PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION AND PASS THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/no-to-indias-crops-being-genetically-engineered.html

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EXPERTS CALL FOR ORGANIC FARMING POLICY TO CHECK GM CROPS
New India Express, 3 January 2007 http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20070103011140&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0

TiPURAM: Warning of the disastrous consequence of Genetically Modified (GM) crops, a representation submitted six months back by a team of scientists and agro-experts seeking the State Government to prevent its entry into Kerala, is yet to see the light of the day.

Endorsed by a 12-member team of scientists and experts, the representation was submitted to Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan on June 2, 2006. In that, they have clearly spelt out the need to uphold the progressive status of Kerala as an organic farming state free from GM crops.

The representation calls for declaring the state as a 'GM free state', which would also help boost, the exports, particularly when many countries have banned the import of GM crops cautious of its harmful effects.

Studies indicating mortality amongst the livestock that grazed in the Bt Cotton field after harvest, its threat to the farmers health and adverse impact on the soils in areas of Maharastra and Punjab is an open secret today.

Bt Cotton, a GM crop was released for commercial cultivation in 2002 with the permission of Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC).

Irrespective of the harmful effects of GM crops which was a reason for the poor crop yield and farmers suicide, GEAC under the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests is examining the options to give permission for large scale field trials of Bt Brinjal, another GM crop.

Scientists pointed out that even without the knowledge of the state governments and farmers, small-scale field trials of genetic modification of at least 20 food crops including rice, potato, tomato and mustard - are on in the country.

Unofficial reports about Bt Cotton farming at Attapadi in Kerala is yet to receive the attention of the State Government. Considering that 50 percent of Kerala falls under the purview of Western Ghats, the Biotechnology Task Force Report of Dr M S Swaminathan also put forward the fact that ecologically sensitive areas like Western Ghats region should be kept safe from the contamination of GM crops.

Scientists have also pointed out that the entry of GM crops can erode the soil fertility and can affect the ecological balance.

'When the scientific community at large has opposed the entry of GM crops, the State Government has to examine and prevent that,' said RVG Menon, a senior scientist.

An expert on agro-farm policy S Usha said Kerala being a consumerist state, even the entry of GM agro-farm products can pose a serious threat to the health of the people A member of the Agro-Economic Committee, Usha said the entry of GM crops and farm products to the state should be checked.

When contacted, State Planning Board member Harilal told this website's newspaper that the scientific community has arrived at a consensus that Kerala cannot sustain unless the State Government weeds out the GM crop and fertiliser route.

Consequent to the lurking danger with regard to the entry of GM crop, it is time that the State Government comes out with a clear-cut policy on 'Organic Farming', he said.

The Agro-Economic Committee is expected to submit its recommendations particularly on organic farming by January 10 or 15. The Planning Board members pointed out that the need to ensure food security and promotion of organic farming came to the focus at the 11th Plan Committee meetings.

But, the Board is not in a position to ensure that the recommendations would be accepted and enforced as that is left to the government decision.

'Kerala cannot sustain unless the State Government weeds out the GM crop and fertiliser route'.

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