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HYDERABAD, Nov. 6

THE AP Coalition in Defence of Diversity, a network of 142 civil society groups in Andhra Pradesh, has demanded the Union Government to declare a moratorium on all permissions for genetically modified crops in the country till the working of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) is investigated and its procedures made transparent.

The coalition Convenor, Mr P.V. Sateesh, told newspersons here on Wednesday that the two-member GEAC, without any public debate, was on the verge of giving approval to genetically-modified mustard at a meeting to be held on Thursday in New Delhi. He wanted the Government to explain to the people "why it is in such a hurry to grant permission to GM crops while countries as Scotland have stopped permission".

He said the GM mustard, being introduced by ProAgro, had been tested so far in only four locations. There was no public debate involving farmers, consumers and citizen groups on the issues of health and biosafety.

This was despite the fact that mustard was being cultivated in the country in an extent of 6.5 million hectares.

Mr Sateesh said any approval to the GM mustard would indicate the growing clout of transnational agrochemical corporations and their lobbyists on the Government.

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