Harsimrat warns against genetically modified mustard

 As GM Mustard awaits Centre’s nod for commercial cultivation, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has cautioned that the introduction of genetically modified (GM) food may hit India’s prospects in cashing in on the global demand for organic food.

“There are many food importing nations that are looking at India rather than China or other countries because they view us as a non-GM nation. They say our food is safe,” Harsimrat told DH.

She was responding to a question on the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) approval for commercial cultivation of genetically modified mustard.

“I feel anything connected with food must be backed up with solid research and we must be very sure of what we are going into,” the minister said. Harsimrat made it clear that she has neither spoken to any of the stakeholders nor has she got the access to scientific studies that have gone into it.

‘Based on facts’

“I am basing my comments purely on the fact that many countries have told us that they want to source from us because they feel our food is safe as we do not promote GM crops,” she said.

“The demand (for organic food) is increasing and we are getting three times the price for organic food,” she said.

“When we have opportunities like that, why don’t we push for those and capture the organic market? Organic food is not only healthy and safe, but can get us good prices as well,” she said.

According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, Indian farmers produced around 1.35 million tonnes of certified organic products worth Rs 26,000 crore in 2015-16. Of this, 2,63,687 tonnes worth Rs 1,900 crore were exported.

The GEAC, India’s top biotechnology regulator, had on May 11 declared transgenic mustard plant “safe for consumption”.

The final decision on its introduction or rejection has to be taken by the environment minister.