(a) whether in a recently organized seminar by Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR), Dow Chemicals and Monsanto Company Ltd., were the main sponsors for the event;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has received any protests from various quarters in this regard;and
(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken not to involve these tainted companies in future?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE,
FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a) M/s Dow Agro Sciences and Monsanto were two of the over two dozen sponsors/co-sponsors
of two recently held Conferences, namely “Second International Conference on Agrochemicals
Protecting Crops, Health and Natural Environment: Role of Chemistry for Sustainable
Agriculture†during 15-18 February 2012, and the “International Conference on Plant
Biotechnology for Food Security: New Frontiers†during February 21-24, 2012, New Delhi, India.
(b) Preparations for the conferences were begun in 2011, when the letters asking for
financial support were sent out in the month of September, 2011. Apart from their commercial
activities Dow Agro Sciences and Monsanto also have R&D facilities in India. As a consequences,
ICAR scientists have working relation with them, especially in terms of interaction at academic
conferences etc. for a considerably long time. The organizers were not aware of any Government
directions prohibiting sponsorship/relationship with any Dow and Monsanto Company.
(c) In the context of Dow’s sponsorship of the Olympics Acting President, Indian Olympic
Association, wrote to the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, and reports also appeared in
certain newspapers.
(d) Care is taken to accept sponsorships only from companies legally functioning in India.