Intensive brainstorming on the Supreme Court order between farmers and environmentalists under the leadership of GIRD.

A round table conference of farmers representatives, activists and scientists was held in Kalpetta

Mr, Shamsuddin AK GS- GIRD, gives a Award to Water Man of India, Dr Rajendra Singh

MPNN NEWS
A round table conference of farmers representatives, activists and scientists was held today in Kalpetta, Wayanad. The Conference was organised by different farmer and environment groups of Wayanad and Green Institute for Research and Development headquartered in Delhi in the background of the Supreme Court’s directions to Government of India to come out with a clear cut policy on GM crops and food products in consultation with State govts and all stakeholders. The Conference discussed various issues affecting the interests of farmmers, consumers, environment, ecology and biodiversity on account of genetic modification of crops and Introduction of GM products. Participants included Dr Rajendra Singh who is known as the Water Man of India, All India Kisan Sangharsh Samiti convenor Dr VM Singh and farmer leaders Dr Dharmendra, Mr Ashok Baliya, TN farmer leader Advocate Guruswamy. A draft paper suggesting points for a bio safety policy was presented by Shri PT John for discussion. All India Kisan Sangharsh Samiti leaders stated the adverse effects of introduction of GM crops to the interests of Indian farmers as the GM crops are meant to be monopolosed by big multi national corporations. Dr Suma from Swaminathan Foundation said that Genetic modification of crops in conjunction with Intellectual Property Rights regime are inimical to the rights of traditional farmmers who have made immense contributions to conserveve seed varieties. She explained that genetic modification of plants will lead to biodiversity erosion and ecological disasters.