Karnal episode result of lack of transparency: Swaminathan

New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) Agriculture expert M S Swaminathan today said the torching of the genetically modified rice test field in Haryana's Karnal district was the natural result of the farmers' apprehensions towards GM crops in the country, where field trials were not being done in a transparent manner.

''The government should set up a professionally-led National Biotechnology Regulatory Athority that will help the assessment of risk and benefits assoiciated with GM crops in a credible and transparent manner,'' Dr Swaminathan said, addressing the Forum of Financial Writers here.

''If field trials are not done in a transparent manner, then episodes like Karnal are likely to happen,'' he said.

On Saturday, about 400 Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) activists torched the sole field in Haryana where tests for the modified rice variety were being carried out, saying the crop would contaminate the soil and affect the existing variety of rice. After the incident at Rampura village, the activists threatened to burn all such fields in the country where trials are underway.

Replying to a question, the Agriculture expert, citing a Supreme Court judgement, said the method adopted by the GM seed company in India was not transparent.

He said there was no such apprehensions in the US where the system was transparent.

UNI YJ VD HT1530