Women activists write to PM Modi on 'illegal GMO imports

The Tribune
August 29, 2018

Leading women activists have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to take immediate action to ban "illegal GMO imports" in India while warning about the "serious threat" the genetically engineered crops pose to India's legal framework, farmers' livelihoods, public health and democracy.

"Illegal GMO imports and planting of Roundup Resistance (genetically engineered) Bt Cotton is posing a serious threat to our legal framework, our farmers livelihoods, public health and democracy," said Vandana Shiva, Executive Director, Navdanya and Dr Mohini Giri, Chairperson, Guild of Service in their letter to the Prime Minister.
While raising the issues-"illegal imports of GMOs, illegal planting of Roundup Ready Bt Cotton and unnecessary imports of Roundup-laced pulses and oil seeds"-they also drew the attention of the Prime Minister towards a recent case in the US, where the jury ruled that Monsanto's Roundup weed killer had caused cancer to a farmer, Dewayne Johnson.  

The 46-year-old former groundskeeper used to spray 'Roundup' to maintain the grounds. The jury ordered Monsanto to pay $289m to the victim, they said

Stating that more than 8,000 cases had been filed in the US by cancer victims, they urged the Prime Minister to take immediate action to ban the illegal GMO import.

They also called on the PM to stop unnecessary imports and support Indian farmers and strengthen India's Sovereignty (Anna Swaraj) and public health. The Anna Swaraj movement is also preparing a People's Manifesto for the future of food and farming in India, which will be released on October 16-the  World Food Day-as a people's voice for 2019 National Elections, they said.


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