The Coalition for a GM-Free India, a network of organisations and individuals, on Friday urged regulator GEAC to take immediate action against suspected illegal sowing of genetically modified (GM) crops, including Bt Brinjal, in Maharasthra.
Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), under the environment ministry, is the nodal regulator for GM crops.
In a letterto the GEAC, the Coalition for a GM-Free India said
“We urge the apex regulatory body GEAC to immediately ensure that no such illegal cultivation takes place that too in open violation of the legal regime on the matter,” it said.
GEAC should direct for the immediate destruction of the said plots and also get event-specific testing of the samples collected in each of these cases to ensure that the seed supply system is traced fully and that the event developers, as well as seed suppliers, are held liable, it added.
A copy of the letter has been sent to the environment and agriculture ministries as well.