Let us all join hands to celebrate National Safe Food Day on 9th Feb to mark 3rd anniversary of moratorium put on Bt Brinjal. Let us gather in maximum numbers to celebrate the fact that in India, we have been able to keep away an unknown, and unproven-to-be-safe GMO called Bt Brinjal away from our plates. Let us make sure that we have safe food.
Q) What is National Safe Food Day?
On February 9, 2010, the Government of India placed a moratorium on the commercial release of Bt brinjal, a genetically modified (GM) food crop. This was done taking into account safety and other concerns around this GMO (Genetically Modified Organism). The moratorium decision followed a nationwide public consultation and debate, which found an overwhelming opposition to this GM food in India. To celebrate and mark the anniversary of the people’s victory on an issue of food safety, February 9th is being observed as NATIONAL SAFE FOOD DAY every year. On this day, we request Governments (Central & State) to continue to keep India free of GM food and exhort all Indians to remember that our food safety, food security and food sovereignty are in our hands!
Q) What are Genetically-Modified (GM) crops?
Genetically Modified (GM) crops are developed by artificially introducing a gene from one species into an unrelated species (For e.g. a bacterium gene called “Bacillus thuringiensis” (Bt) is introduced into Brinjal resulting in Bt Brinjal). As of now there are only two GM traits that have been commercialized. These are produced by transfer of a pesticide producing or herbicide tolerating gene into cells of seeds so that the plant either generates toxins to kill the pest or can survive large doses of chemical (herbicide) sprays. This technology is unnatural, hazardous to our health and environmentally unpredictable and dangerous.
Q) What is the current status with the GM crop debate in India?
After the moratorium on Bt brinjal, independent reports revealed more problems with Bt brinjal. Many state governments have said No to open air field trials of GM crops. A report from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture( in August 2012), unequivocally stated that there is “no compelling need for adopting” such technologies and asked the Government of India to come up with a fresh road map to address food security – without jeopardizing biodiversity and human and animal health. A report from an expert committee of the Supreme Court has in Oct 2012 stated that there should be a moratorium on field trials of Bt and Ht crops and crops where India is the centre of origin. Despite the moratorium and these reports and the concern of the state governments , the Union Government still believes that GM crops is the way ahead for the country, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture, which is assiduously promoting GM crops.
Q) If GM crops are harmful for us, then why is our Govt. planning to allow them in India?
Our Govt. is keen on promoting GM technology in agriculture influenced by the powerful multi-national seed and biotech companies who make exorbitant profits out of selling proprietary seeds to farmers. This would result in putting our biodiversity and our farmers’ livelihoods into jeopardy. Bt cotton, the only GM crop allowed in India a decade ago, has shown that choices for farmers as well as consumers are denied in this onslaught. Now the Govt., instead of strengthening our regulatory regime around biosafety, is proposing a Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill in the Parliament, to create a single-window clearing-house for Genetically Modified (GM) crops in the country, without paying heed to the popular resistance against this.
Q) Isn’t it enough that farmers can choose whether they want to grow GM crops or not and consumers can choose whether they want to eat GM food or not?
Choice of crops and choice of food is not a simple matter where GM crops and non-GM crops can exist along side. GM crops can contaminate non-GM crops (causing loss of choice) and in addition are backed with enormous corporate power, which removes the non-GM options from the market. This has happened, within a few years, in all countries where GM crops are cultivated (including cotton in India). As regards food choices, India has recently introduced a labeling law without any teeth to properly regulate GM foods. Moreover, in India most produce is sold in open markets and produce is not tracked right from seed to plate, so it is not possible to ensure GM-Free food. GM soybean oil and Bt cotton seed oil are already part of our food, without labeling, and could be causing serious health problems, in the long run. One of the ways of avoiding GM foods is to opt for Organic foods. However, the foolproof way to steer clear of GM foods is to not allow them in any manner.
Q) Is the Food Safety Law of India adequate to deal with the issue of safety of GM foods?
A Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is currently functioning under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. But, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has issued a gazette notification that labeling has been made mandatory (from January 1, 2013), but only for packaged foods using GM products as ingredients. So currently food labeling does not cover GMOs in general or GM foods when they are being manufactured.
Q) Does keeping GMOs out of India mean our food is safe?
While GMOs are an immediate threat to our food sovereignty and safety, our agriculture establishment has been promoting chemical-intensive agriculture with heavy use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, which pose a serious hazard to our health and environment.
Q) What can we do?
It is important that we as citizens come forward to ensure that our food is safe. As the saying goes, “we are what we eat” after all! We should ask our Govt. to promote more sustainable and eco-friendly ways of farming, which will ensure a better future for all of us and a better environment for the coming generations. We should also take responsibility for ensuring safe food for us, our loved ones and for the larger society. Eat natural and organic food; grow at least part of our food in kitchen gardens and promote community safe food initiatives; use open pollinated seeds and save seeds, learn more about our food and spread the word about safe food.
Q) How can I participate in celebrating National Safe Food Day?
Several events are being organized across different cities of India, as a voluntary initiative by various groups. You can check the details of the upcoming events at http://nationalsafefoodday2013.blogspot.com to take part in them. Additionally, you can do the following activities to participate in the event:
For More Resources: Join National Safe Food Day Event 2013 on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/390953627662426/?fref=ts &
Check – www.indiagminfo.org & To keep up to date on the latest developments related to GM Crops in India, please join
“GM Watch India” Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/GMWatchIndia &
“GM Watch India” E-group: https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/gmwatch-india
Also visit “India For Safe Food” (www.indiaforsafefood.in) and I AM NO LAB RAT (www.iamnolabrat.com )
Q) What is National Safe Food Day?
On February 9, 2010, the Government of India placed a moratorium on the commercial release of Bt brinjal, a genetically modified (GM) food crop. This was done taking into account safety and other concerns around this GMO (Genetically Modified Organism). The moratorium decision followed a nationwide public consultation and debate, which found an overwhelming opposition to this GM food in India. To celebrate and mark the anniversary of the people’s victory on an issue of food safety, February 9th is being observed as NATIONAL SAFE FOOD DAY every year. On this day, we request Governments (Central & State) to continue to keep India free of GM food and exhort all Indians to remember that our food safety, food security and food sovereignty are in our hands!
Q) What are Genetically-Modified (GM) crops?
Genetically Modified (GM) crops are developed by artificially introducing a gene from one species into an unrelated species (For e.g. a bacterium gene called “Bacillus thuringiensis” (Bt) is introduced into Brinjal resulting in Bt Brinjal). As of now there are only two GM traits that have been commercialized. These are produced by transfer of a pesticide producing or herbicide tolerating gene into cells of seeds so that the plant either generates toxins to kill the pest or can survive large doses of chemical (herbicide) sprays. This technology is unnatural, hazardous to our health and environmentally unpredictable and dangerous.
Q) What is the current status with the GM crop debate in India?
After the moratorium on Bt brinjal, independent reports revealed more problems with Bt brinjal. Many state governments have said No to open air field trials of GM crops. A report from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture( in August 2012), unequivocally stated that there is “no compelling need for adopting” such technologies and asked the Government of India to come up with a fresh road map to address food security – without jeopardizing biodiversity and human and animal health. A report from an expert committee of the Supreme Court has in Oct 2012 stated that there should be a moratorium on field trials of Bt and Ht crops and crops where India is the centre of origin. Despite the moratorium and these reports and the concern of the state governments , the Union Government still believes that GM crops is the way ahead for the country, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture, which is assiduously promoting GM crops.
Q) If GM crops are harmful for us, then why is our Govt. planning to allow them in India?
Our Govt. is keen on promoting GM technology in agriculture influenced by the powerful multi-national seed and biotech companies who make exorbitant profits out of selling proprietary seeds to farmers. This would result in putting our biodiversity and our farmers’ livelihoods into jeopardy. Bt cotton, the only GM crop allowed in India a decade ago, has shown that choices for farmers as well as consumers are denied in this onslaught. Now the Govt., instead of strengthening our regulatory regime around biosafety, is proposing a Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill in the Parliament, to create a single-window clearing-house for Genetically Modified (GM) crops in the country, without paying heed to the popular resistance against this.
Q) Isn’t it enough that farmers can choose whether they want to grow GM crops or not and consumers can choose whether they want to eat GM food or not?
Choice of crops and choice of food is not a simple matter where GM crops and non-GM crops can exist along side. GM crops can contaminate non-GM crops (causing loss of choice) and in addition are backed with enormous corporate power, which removes the non-GM options from the market. This has happened, within a few years, in all countries where GM crops are cultivated (including cotton in India). As regards food choices, India has recently introduced a labeling law without any teeth to properly regulate GM foods. Moreover, in India most produce is sold in open markets and produce is not tracked right from seed to plate, so it is not possible to ensure GM-Free food. GM soybean oil and Bt cotton seed oil are already part of our food, without labeling, and could be causing serious health problems, in the long run. One of the ways of avoiding GM foods is to opt for Organic foods. However, the foolproof way to steer clear of GM foods is to not allow them in any manner.
Q) Is the Food Safety Law of India adequate to deal with the issue of safety of GM foods?
A Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is currently functioning under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. But, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has issued a gazette notification that labeling has been made mandatory (from January 1, 2013), but only for packaged foods using GM products as ingredients. So currently food labeling does not cover GMOs in general or GM foods when they are being manufactured.
Q) Does keeping GMOs out of India mean our food is safe?
While GMOs are an immediate threat to our food sovereignty and safety, our agriculture establishment has been promoting chemical-intensive agriculture with heavy use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, which pose a serious hazard to our health and environment.
Q) What can we do?
It is important that we as citizens come forward to ensure that our food is safe. As the saying goes, “we are what we eat” after all! We should ask our Govt. to promote more sustainable and eco-friendly ways of farming, which will ensure a better future for all of us and a better environment for the coming generations. We should also take responsibility for ensuring safe food for us, our loved ones and for the larger society. Eat natural and organic food; grow at least part of our food in kitchen gardens and promote community safe food initiatives; use open pollinated seeds and save seeds, learn more about our food and spread the word about safe food.
Q) How can I participate in celebrating National Safe Food Day?
Several events are being organized across different cities of India, as a voluntary initiative by various groups. You can check the details of the upcoming events at http://nationalsafefoodday2013.blogspot.com to take part in them. Additionally, you can do the following activities to participate in the event:
- Organize documentary screenings on issue of GMOs
- Invite experts to talk about Safe Food
- Arrange for Poster Exhibition on GM Crops
- Organize walks, cycle rallies or get-togethers to create awareness about Safe Food and effects of GM Food
- Spread the word on Facebook, Twitter and other social media about the event and also about Safe Food and issues surrounding GM Food
For More Resources: Join National Safe Food Day Event 2013 on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/390953627662426/?fref=ts &
Check – www.indiagminfo.org & To keep up to date on the latest developments related to GM Crops in India, please join
“GM Watch India” Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/GMWatchIndia &
“GM Watch India” E-group: https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/gmwatch-india
Also visit “India For Safe Food” (www.indiaforsafefood.in) and I AM NO LAB RAT (www.iamnolabrat.com )
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