Question : HERBICIDE RESISTANT CROP

(a) whether researches indicate that herbicide-resistant crops will increase dependence on herbicide use in agriculture as it will have to be re-introduced to control glyphosate resistant volunteers, feral crop populations and resistant weeds;

(b) if so, whether Monsanto is conducting trials for genetically modified corn despite protests by leading farmers and environmental groups;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has granted permission for these trials;

(e) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of State Government and other concerned groups thereto; and

(f) the action taken by the Government on such reactions?

MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES,MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER`S OFFICE, MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)

(a) to (f) There have been differing views in various reports on the issue of use of herbicide tolerant crops but there is no scientific conclusions so far on the issue of re-introduction of other herbicides to control glyphosate resistant volunteers, which have not emerged so far. Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), under the Ministry of Environment & Forests, which is the Apex Authority for granting permission for conducting open field trials as per the Hon’ble Supreme Court directive, has granted permission to M/s. Monsanto India Ltd., Mumbai for conducting Biosafety Research Level 1 (BRL-1) trials on transgenic corn during Kharif-2009. The Department of Biotechnology has not received any report about protests by leading farmers and environmental groups against the permission granted to M/s. Monsanto India Ltd., Mumbai for conducting the BRL-1 trial on transgenic corn at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Applicants are required to inform the State Government Authorities and Directors of Research of the State Agriculture Universities before conducting the trials. State Governments directly deal with other concerned groups for appropriate action.