Aastha Thakur
Published on 04 November 2022 at 16:59 IST
Supreme Court recently asked the Union Government orally to maintain the status quo with regard to the commercial production of genetically modified mustard and to refrain from taking any hasty step regarding its release.
The bench comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Sudhanshu Dhulia passed the injunction order on the application of Aruna Rodriguez, an activist campaigning against genetically modified crops. The decision of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, which accepted the proposal for the commercial cultivation of Genetically Modified Mustard, was put on hold by the order. The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change recently gave the GEAC decision the green light.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan representing for Rodriguez submitted before the bench that a Technical Expert Committee was established by the apex court to look into the matter of genetically modified crops. The committee concluded that the HT (Herbicide Tolerant) crops are not sustainable in India and HT Crops sprayed with HT sprays can cause Cancer.
He said that the committee has held that the HT (Herbicide Tolerant) crops are unsuitable and unsustainable in India and that the herbicides sprayed on the HT Crops can cause cancer. Further, he told the court that no research had been done to determine the long-term impacts of HT Crops on human health, animal health, or biodiversity, hence the Committee had recommended a complete prohibition based on the precautionary principle.
Counsel Bhushan further said that government yet have to make any decision regarding the release of GM Mustard and he als informed the Court that the biodiversity would suffer irreparable harm as a result of the GEAC’s approval.
The Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Union Government, was asked by the bench what was happening with the release of the genetically modified mustard.
ASG Bhati informed the court that the seeds would be planted on the grounds of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in response to directions. She also informed the court know that she would present the bench with the paperwork related to the approval granted and other proceedings.
The bench also directed the ASG to ensure that no premature decisions are made before the application is heard. The case has listed for the next hearing on November 10, 2022 by the court.