Coalition flags biosafety concerns over GM maize trials at agri varsity
The Coalition for a GM-Free India has opposed Bayer’s GM maize trials at PAU, Ludhiana, citing health and ecological risks from glyphosate resistance. It criticised Punjab’s approval despite existing bans and urged transparency. PAU defended the trials as research-based, stating they follow government safety protocols and require central and state clearances.
The Coalition for a GM-Free India has raised strong objections to confined trails of two kinds of genetically modified (GM) maize by multinational Bayer (formerly Monsanto) sanctioned at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. The civil society organisation criticised the state government’s issuance of no objection certificates (NOCs), questioning why Punjab was the only state among 11 approached by Bayer to grant approval.
In a letter to Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, the coalition demanded transparency on the scientific basis of the decision. It expressed concern over the herbicide-tolerant nature of the maize, which was engineered to withstand glyphosate, a chemical currently banned in Punjab due to its health implications.
The organisation demanded transparency on the scientific basis for the approval and raised concerns over biosafety violations in previous GM crop trials at PAU.
“Allowing trials of glyphosate-resistant maize contradicts existing prohibitory orders and could deepen Punjab’s ecological and health crises,” the coalition stated, pointing to rising cancer rates and agrochemical dependency. It described the move as “anti-people and anti-nature” and called for the immediate withdrawal of the NOC and a probe into the decision-making process.
The coalition warned that permitting trials of glyphosate-tolerant maize in a region already facing an environmental health crisis could trigger long-term consequences for both farmers and consumers. The civil society organisation said even so-called “confined” trials pose risks of genetic contamination and long-term ecological damage.
Responding to these concerns, PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal confirmed that field trials would soon commence on the university campus. He defended GM technology, citing its adoption in over 30 countries and the role of Bt cotton in improving crop yields in India.
Dr Gosal emphasised on the importance of research and safety trials for all new agricultural products, including seeds and hybrids. “No product can be commercially released without trials. These provide data — positive or negative — on which informed decisions can be made,” he said.
He explained that trials were permitted only after receiving clearance from the Government of India’s Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM), under the Department of Biotechnology. “Companies and organisations submit products to the RCGM, and trials may be conducted only after approval. The committee then approaches respective states where trials can be held. The state’s Director of Agriculture applies to a committee formed by the state government for testing and trials of the GM crops. Bayer has received approval to conduct trials,” Dr Gosal said.
He added that Biosafety Level 1 and 2 trials would be carried out under strict standard operating procedures, with mandatory permission from state-level committees.
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Source : The Tribune
