US-based agri major Monsanto on Saturday refuted RSS-affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch’s (SJM) charge that it pushed for adopting its genetically-engineered cotton seeds and pesticide through “illegal route”.
“We would like to reiterate that Monsanto conducts its businesses in a transparent and ethical manner and in adherence with the laws of the land,” a Monsanto spokesperson said in a statement.
He said the various technological methods introduced by the company have been subject to rigorous regulatory evaluations over the years and have been approved by the country’s regulators.
“Commercialisation of any new technology in India happens only after we secure the requisite permissions from the regulatory authorities,” he said. The SJM alleged that Monsanto imported the Roundup Ready cotton seeds way back in 2008.
Since it is the company’s responsibility to keep the seeds in safe custody, the government must investigate how these seeds entered lakhs of acres of field, it said.
In August 2016, the seed major withdrew its application seeking approval of Bollgard-II Roundup Ready Flex as a consequence of the firm’s long-running dispute with the central government on proprietary claims and intellectual property related issues.
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