(a) whether re-introduction of cotton seeds in the list of
Essential Commodities has been beneficial to the cotton producing farmers;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has any proposal to deregulate the prices of cotton
seeds;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to safeguard the
interest of cotton growers especially those cultivating Bt. cotton in the country?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 94 DUE FOR REPLY ON 20TH MARCH, 2012.
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Cotton seed has been re-introduced in the Essential
Commodities Act, 1955 by Notifications issued by Department of Consumer Affairs
on 22.12.2009, 18.06.2010 and 22.12.2010 to protect the interest of cotton
producing farmers by regulating the production, supply, distribution and quality of
cotton seeds. This inclusion also acts as a deterrent for seed dealers against selling
spurious cotton seeds to farmers and useful in strengthening the cotton seed
quality regulation.
(c) & (d): There is no provision for regulating price of seeds including cotton
seeds under the Seeds Act, 1966, the Seed Rules, 1968 and the Seeds (Control)
Order, 1983. Although seed is an essential commodity in terms of the Seeds
(Control) Order, 1983, the same is for the purpose of quality regulation and not for
the purpose of regulating the price of seeds.
(e): The Seeds Act, 1966, the Seed Rules, 1968, the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983
and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Rules for the Manufacture, Use,
Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Micro-organisms / Genetically Engineered
Organisms or Cells, 1989 have adequate provisions to safeguard the interest of
cotton growers including Bt. Cotton growers. Some of the important steps take to
safeguard the interest of Bt. Cotton growers are as under:
(i) Complete safety assessment is undertaken by Ministry of Environment
and Forests through Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)
before considering release of Bt. Cotton varieties.
(ii) Department of Agriculture and Cooperation has prescribed minimum
limits of purity in respect of Bt. Cotton seed under Section 6 of the Seeds
Act, 1966 and notified the laboratory of Central Institute of Cotton
Research, Nagpur as referral laboratory for testing the Bt. Cotton seeds.
(iii) The Ministry of Environment & Forests empowered the Seed Inspectors
notified under Section 13 of the Seeds Act, 1966 and clause 12 of the
Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 to draw the seed samples of Bt. cotton seeds
under Section 10 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to test in the
notified seed testing laboratories for checking the quality of Bt. Cotton
seed.