TN farmers warns of action against test, sale of GE crops

Chennai, Nov 15 (UNI) Farmers of Tamil Nadu today warned they would resort to extreme forms of agitation if the Centre and state government failed to ban genetically engineered (GE) crops, which were under trial at various fields in the state.

Addressing a press meet here, Tamil Nadu Farmers Association Chairman Chellamuthu said farmers all over the state would unite to destroy the tested crops and ban sale of Genetically Modified (GM) Bt seeds that would jeopardise the livelihood of farmers and destroy traditional and conventional methods of organic farming.

'MNCs like Monsanto-Mahyco, which produce GM seeds, entered into a secret pact with authorities to sell seeds. The seeds, with high productivity and more pest resistance, in the long run would ruin indigenous cultivation methods. In due course, if GM seeds were cultivated, natural mineral content of the soil, which supported conventional seeds, would be destroyed and farmers forced to depend on the companies for seeds. It is the strategy of US-led imperialist forces to control vast agriculture potential of the nation,' he said.

Justifying the recent uprooting of GE crops at a test field near Coimbatore, he said farmers took action after the government failed.

'About two lakh letters, mentioning the ill effects of carrying out the GE crop test had been sent to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. But no action was initiated so far', he said.

Releasing a Green Peace report 'Future of Rice 2006', veteran Organic Agriculture Scientist Nammalvar said it comprehensively presented ill effects of GM cultivation on the environment and health.

He said the analysis by two eminent scientists Dr Emerlito Borromeo of International Rice Research Institute and Dr Debal Deb of Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies on GM and GE crops said when compared to traditional and other conventional rice breeding and production methods, GE was ineffective, unpredictable, expensive and risky to human health, farming communities and ecology.

Tamil Nadu All India Kisan Sabha (affiliated to CPI) Secretary Duraimanickam said the organisation was tired of ventilating problems peacefully and would resort to agitations in the coming days.

'We will not allow entry of GE crops into the agricultural sector. Though developed countries banned the import of GE and GM foods, the Indian government had failed in this regard. We will mount pressure on the government to impose a ban on GE crops,' he added.

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