(a) whether the Government is aware that spurious hybrids of BT cotton seeds have been found in Gujarat;
(b)` if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether similar incidents have been reported in other parts of the country also;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to streamline BT cotton production?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a)&(b): Production of spurious Bt. Cotton seeds has been reported in Gujarat. According to
information made available by Government of Gujarat 61751 Kgs. of spurious Bt. Cotton seeds
has been confiscated. FIRs have been field in 12 cases upto 30.6.2004.
(c)&(d): There have been unconfirmed reports of production and sale of spurious Bt. Cotton
seeds in some States. State Govt. have been advised to take action against the producers and
vendors of spurious Bt. Cotton seeds under the Rule for Manufacture, Use/Import/Export and
Storage of Hazardous Micro organisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cell, 1989 under
the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and Seeds (Control) Order, 1983.
(e): The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) in the Ministry of Environment
& Forests has so far granted permission to four hybrids of Bt. Cotton for commercial cultivation
in the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil
Nadu.