APCIDD asks govt to ban Bt Cotton seed sale

Hyderabad, July 30 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Coalition in Defence of Diversity (APCIDD) Convenor P V Satheesh today asked the Andhra Pradesh Government to ban the sale of Bt Cotton seeds and promulgate an ordinance to ensure all cotton seed companies produced and distribute non-Bt seeds comprising at least 50 per cent of their total trade volume.

Addressing the press here, Mr Reddy said recent research revealed that more than 40 per cent of the area under Bt Cotton was infested with root rot disease.

It would spread to all the cultivable area if the disease was not controlled, he contended.

Pointing out the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) was not conducting any investigation on the toxicity impact of Bt Cotton leaves and stalks on animals which graze in the area, he said the government must also take steps to promote millet farming in the areas where Bt cotton was being grown.

UNI