The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : ‘Opposition to GM crops high on political agenda’

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Wednesday, Feb 27, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

‘Opposition to GM crops high on political agenda’

Special Correspondent

‘Several States come forward with policies against GM crop promotion’

HYDERABAD: The Coalition for Genetically Modified Free India has announced its resolve to make opposition to genetically modified crops and food as a main item in the political agenda before the next elections.

Acknowledging the difficulties in “countering the political economy backing the GM crops, the Coalition, however, is firm on lobbying at various levels and involving all sections including religious heads in the campaign against the GM crops to build public pressure on the Government.

“We are hopeful of making our position clear to the political spectrum before the manifestoes for the next elections are written,” Coalition coordinator Devender Sharma said.

He was here in connection with a seminar “Towards GM Free India” organised by the Coalition in association with Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and other organisations.

Briefing reporters about the proceedings, Mr. Sharma said the seminar had evolved strategies to take the campaign forward and fixed time lines for ensuring that people were educated about the adverse impact of the GM crops. Several States including Orissa and Kerala had come forward with policies against promotion of GM crops while farmers were opting for ecological farming in several other States.

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