Bhartiya Kisan Sangh [BKS] a farmers’ organization linked to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh [RSS] – an ideological front of the ruling BJP – has written to the Prime Minister, N Modi bringing to his attention to large-scale use of unapproved genetically modified [GM] new seeds and their deleterious impact on crop, soil and the environment. They have called for punitive action against companies which are making these seeds available to farmers.
The reference in the association’s complaint is purportedly to the presence of Cry1Ac gene [besides more alien pest-protecting genes] in brinjals taken from a farmers’ field in a village in Fatehabad district of Haryana. Cry1Ac gene is a protein produced from insertion of soil bacterium, bacillus thuringensis [Bt] into the genome of brinjal. The gene behaves as a toxin against the shoot and fruit borer [SFB], a pest that commonly affects brinjal.
Bt brinjal is not yet approved for commercial use. Yet, the test findings in one such [farmer’ field in Haryana] clearly points to the possibility of its large scale use as those involved in the supply business won’t get into it merely to cater to few [or one] farmers.
In another instance viz. Bt cotton, according to the Field Inspection and Scientific Evaluation Committee [FISEC], a body of experts—chaired by the co-chair of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee [GEAC] of the ministry of environment and forest [MoEF] – the regulatory body for approving GM crops – around 15% of the seeds being used in major cotton-growing states comprise of unapproved ‘herbicide-tolerant’ seeds.
The GM seeds are toxic and hazardous. The national regulator [in this case, GEAC] is expected to satisfy itself about their safety to human health and the environment [besides efficacy] based on scrutiny of studies and test data and only thereafter, grants approval for commercialization. In the mentioned cases, since the seeds are un-approved, there may be reason to worry.
But, the problem can’t be addressed merely by policing. The root cause behind this is attractiveness of the new technology [some farmers in Maharashtra have even dared to use ‘herbicide-tolerant’ GM seeds knowing that these are unapproved and may invite punishment] on the one hand and the unwillingness of the government to accord approval to the product of the innovator [or create other obstacles in the way of selling it reasonable price] on the other. When, farmers want a product and genuine company is unable to supply, the dubious players make a heyday. Look at some facts.
On October 15, 2009, the GEAC had approved Bt brinjal for commercial use. The approval was granted based on reports submitted by the Maharashstra Hybrid Seeds Company Limited [Mahyco], the Indian subsidiary of the US-based company Monsanto which had conducted studies in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University [TNAU] and the University of Agricultural Sciences [UAS], Dharwad, for development of Bt brinjal.
Doing a volte face, the then, environment minister, Jairam Ramesh imposed, in 2010, an indefinite embargo on commercial use of Bt brinjal. This was on the ground of inadequately addressing health and environmental risks, inadequate safety guidelines, lack of transparency in sharing test data etc. This is anomalous as the mandate of GEAC is to have a close look precisely at all these aspects and only after its satisfaction, the approval is granted.
In regard to Bt cotton, Bayer-Monsanto [renamed after acquisition of Monsanto by Bayer] has been subjected to a stifling regulatory environment in regard to Bollgard II. Its patent for the gene sequence responsible for Bt trait is under judicial review. As per the order of Supreme Court [SC] dated January 8, 2019, the patent though valid for now, is subject to the decision of Delhi High Court [DHC].
The company does not have the freedom to give license. Besides, even the max trait fee [royalty] payable to Monsanto is subject to control under Cotton Seed Price Control Order [CSPCO]. Under the Order, the current MRP of a packet of Bollgard II seed [450 grams] is fixed at a ‘uniform’ Rs 740/- which includes trait value of Rs 39/- or a mere 5% of the price. The company had challenged the order but till date, the court has not even started hearing the case.
This has dissuaded Bayer-Monsanto from not only launching advanced versions of Bt cotton but also, new technology solutions such as for saline soils, drought and flood-resistant GM crops – badly needed to meet the challenges of fast changing climatic conditions.
As regards, herbicide tolerant cotton seed, in August 2016, Monsanto had withdrawn it from the approval process which is the root cause behind its illegal cultivation. Even worse, these seeds are selling at Rs 1200-1500 per packet – almost double the MRP for Bollgard II seed [albeit approved] fixed by the centre. These have increased the problem of resistant weeds and are responsible for the new threat posed to the cotton crop, that of pink bollworms.
A company which holds patent for the product of its innovation has exclusive rights over its production/import, distribution, pricing and use. In this case however, forget exclusivity, the innovator/patent holder [read: Monsanto] has no say whatsoever even as decision on all these parameters are taken by the government. The situation remains unchanged despite the order of apex court.
Faced with such a repressive environment whereby either the entry is banned outright [as in case of Bt brinjal] or even when allowed, the innovator is shackled from all sides [as in Bt cotton] resulting in non-availability of the new technology through legitimate channels, un-approved/illegal sources are bound to proliferate. The problem has to be tackled at the source.
It has to do with the mindset of the government. It feels that the innovator is out there to exploit the patent induced monopoly to fleece farmers which is not true [otherwise, why would they adopt GM seeds in such large numbers]. This in turn, prompts it to either deny entry or impose excessive controls. This mindset has to change or else, none other than the farmers themselves will be put to loss due to denial of access to new solutions.