AAP lashes out at UPA govt for permitting field trials on GM crops

New Delhi, Feb 28: The Aam Aadmi Party (

) on Friday lashed out at the UPA government for permitting field trials on

, saying such a decision was taken even when a Parliamentary Standing Committee on

had opposed such trials.

"The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) condemns the action of (Environment Minister) Veerappa Moily to approve these field trials and make this country a laboratory for risky GM crops and demand that all field trials be stopped and initiate an enquiry on the undue hurry of the minister's action," a statement released by the party today said.

"It is unacceptable that Mr Moily went ahead to give permissions for these field trials even when a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture comprising of MPs from various political parties including Congress party and other UPA allies had recommended against such field trials," it said.

The party also questioned the haste shown by the government in this matter.

"The Supreme Court appointed Technical Expert Committee (TEC) comprising of eminent scientists also had highlighted the scientific evidence on adverse impacts of GM crops and the failure of the existing regulatory system in their final report submitted to the court in July last year and strongly reccomended against any open releases including for experimental trials.

"The haste with which Moily is trying to approve field trials of risky untested GM crops before the court is going to hold a hearing on the final TEC report in April 2014, just a month away shows the undue interest the minister has on getting these GM crops out in to fields," the statement said.

The statement stated that the government's decision will only benefit the multi-national seed corporations.

"On the one hand, scientific evidence and scientists voices on the adverse impacts of GM crops to human health and environment are increasing.

"On the other experiences with BT cotton also show that the only entity that is benefiting from the introduction of GM crops are the big seed corporations which get monopolistic control over our seed sector," the statement said.

PTI