SJM Opposes Commercial Cultivation of GM Mustard

New Delhi: RSS affiliate, Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has opposed Biotech regulator Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC)’s recommendation for commercial use of GM mustard saying that doing so will not lead to increase in productivity.

GEAC has approved that genetically modified (GM) Mustard can be grown commercially in the country and recommended its approval to the environment ministry.

“We are against the commercial use of any genetically modified crops, including GM mustard. And we will request that the government should not allow its commercial cultivation,” SJM co-convener Ashwani Mahajan said. According to Mahajan, the productivity of existing desi varieties is higher than GM mustard.

He said that GM mustard would impact allied sectors such as orchards, beekeepers and ayurvedic medicine makers and practitioners.

Environment activist Vandana Shiva had also slammed the commercial production of GM mustard, saying it is “illegal” and developers have done “fraud science”.