1.Farmers leaders demand destruction of Monsanto GM corn trial
2.Farmers stage demo against GM crop trial
3.62 held for protest on GM crop
4.GM corn trials in Kolhapur stopped
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1.PRESS RELEASE: Farmer leaders of Tamil Nadu demand immediate destruction of GM Corn field trial for Monsanto at TNAU
Coimbatore, 3rd April 2009: A day after Coimbatore witnessed the mass arrest of protesters against Genetically Modified (GM) crops, heads of farmers organisations from all across Tamil Nadu came together to demand the immediate destruction of the ongoing field trial of Monsanto's GM corn within the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU).
The farmer leaders were here to participate in a day-long conference which was organized to discuss the looming threat of GM crops over the state and possible loss of livelihood, as well as huge health risks among the farmer community. Inaugurating the conference Dr M.R. Sivasamy, the renowned farmers' leader of the state said that Genetically Modified crops was a gross violation of the farmers’ rights. 'Both green revolution and gene revolution are against farmers as well as the laws of nature', said Dr Sivasamy.
Though the anti-GM food movement in Tamil Nadu had been gaining strength for a good few months now, it was for the first time that Tamil Nadu saw farmers from 26 organizations coming together on a single platform to raise their voice against GM food crops, especially TNAU's involvement in conducting the field trial for an MNC like Monsanto. Also in a show of solidarity, the farmers gave a standing ovation to Vellaiyan, the leader of Tamil Nadu Traders Association who was arrested the previous day for demanding the destruction of the ongoing filed trial at TNAU of Monsanto’s GM corn.
Speaking on the occasion guest speaker at the conference Jacob Nellithanam of Richaria Campaign of Chattisgarh threw light on the unholy nexus between MNCs and educational institutions to introduce GM food. 'In their bid to take over the farming sector MNCs like Monsanto were now entering secret understanding with public sector institutions like Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,' said Jacob, before adding that this was a dangerous trend as public sector institutions were now shifting their loyalty to these MNCs, but also totally ignoring the concerns about biosafety and loss of livelihood among the farmers.
Today's conference gained more significance as it took place a day after agitation and protests staged by concerned farmers in Maharashtra had forced Mahatma Phule Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (MPKV) to announce a complete halt of holding any GM crops' field trials within its premise from now on. MPKV, along with TNAU was one of the three universities across India where field trial was held for a US MNC like Monsanto. The news from MPKV was shared among the farmers at the conference by Su Kannaiyan of Tamil Nadu Farmers' Association, Erode before commenting that 'If farmers in Kolhapur can force the aggression of GM developer to stop abusing public sector institutions, we, the farmers can do the same here in Coimbatore'.
The conference then, amidst great cheers from the participants passed a 10 point resolution demanding immediate destruction of the ongoing field trial of Monsanto's BT Corn within Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. The conference also resolved to stop research of any non traditional, non organic food crops in any of the public sector institutions within the state in the future.
Among others who spoke against GM food crops at the conference were Jai Krishna of Greenpeace, N.S. Palanisamy, Non Political Farmers Organization, A.M. Raja of the Confederation of Indian Farmers (CIFA), K Ram Mohan of Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat, Selvam of Organic Framers' Association, Erode, C Nallasamy of Tamil Nadu Kal Iyakkam and Vazhukkupparai Balu of Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangal.
For further information, photos and video contact:
Mr. Gnanaguru Affiliate Safe Food Alliance, Coimbatore +91 98426 44151
Ms. Stella paul: +919845068125, Greenpeace
Photographs and video footage are available on request
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2.Farmers stage demo against GM crop trial
The Hindu, 2 April 2009
http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/03/stories/2009040351880600.htm
*Tests being carried out for last three months
*Rally taken out against university
Coimbatore [Tamil Nadu, India]: More than 70 activists of various farmersà associations were removed by the police when they attempted to stage a demonstration at the trial field of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University where genetically modified crops were being cultivated.
The protestors, led by Tamil Nadu Tradersà Association president Vellaiyan, were arrested for staging a protest against the field trial of genetically modified corn plant inside the varsity premises.
The protestors from various movements under the Safe Food Alliance had come together to demand immediate destruction of the field where trial of BT corn, a hazardous GM food crop developed by a multinational company, was being carried out.
The firm was carrying on the field trial in secrecy for last three months. These crops were risky and could cause serious health hazards. Studies had predicted that the long-term consumption of such food could lead to serious reproductive problems and eventually infertility.
Contaminate
These crops are also unanimously opposed by all farmers across India as they could contaminate the agri biodiversity developed over thousands of years while increasing corporate control over seed, impairing soil fertility and end the rights of farmers over seed.
Before being removed by police, Mr. Vellaiyan said ìwe are tired of the strategy of silent destruction.î
The university had sacrificed its commitment to the interest of the people of Tamil Nadu. In March, Safe Food Alliance had organised a rally against the continued allegiance of the university to the multinational company.
Recommendations
On the same day, the Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangham Peravai and Green Peace handed over a set of recommendations to the university asking it to destroy the field trials immediately.
When farmers never wanted genetically modified crop, why should the university continue signing agreements with foreign companies for collaboration?, asked Aruchamy of the Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangham.
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3.62 held for protest on GM crop
NetIndia123.com, 2 April 2009
http://www.netindia123.com/showdetails.asp?id=1215660&cat=India&head=62+held+for +protest+on+GM+crop
Coimbatore [Tamil Nadu, India] - As many as 62 persons belonging to United Traders Association of Tamil Nadu and various farmers associations led by Traders Association President Vellaiyan were arrested today when they tried to vandalise genetically modified (GM) corn plants, undergoing field trials, inside the premises of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU).
The agitators told newsmen GM foods had proved to be risky and could cause serious health hazards like hyper allergies, retarded growth, inflammation and liver and kidney toxicity. It was revealed the long term consumption of GM foods like Bt corn could lead to serious reproductive problems and eventually infertility. These crops were fully opposed by thousands of farmers in this country as they could contaminate the agri-bio diversity.
Despite several agitations, TNAU had been conducting open air field trials for the benefit of multinational companies like Monsanto. Instead of finding new varieties through research for the benefit of the country, the TNAU had shown loyalty to the multinationals.
While countries like France, Italy, Austria, England, Poland and Romania had decided on a moratorium on GM crops, States like Kerala in this country declared themselves as GM-free and charted an organic path to revive the farming sector.
"Why has this State (Tamil Nadu) given priority for this crop?" the agitators questioned.
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4.GM corn trials in Kolhapur stopped
Express News Service, April 3 2009
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/gm-corn-trials-in-kolhapur-stopped/442350/
The Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV) said it has decided to stop genetically modified (GM) crop trials for corn at its fields in Kolhapur. The trails began in December 2008 and MPKV land in Kolhapur was one of the three plots for GM corn, selected by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and sponsored by the US-based Monsanto. The other two locations are Samasvati (Bihar) and Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) and field trials are continuing in these locations.
The decision to stop the trials followed protests by farmers questioning the safety and sanctity of the open-air transgenic trials. In a decision taken on Thursday in Pune, the university also said transgenic trials will no longer be conducted on its land.
When contacted, Rajaram Deshmukh, vice-chancellor of MPKV, said the GM corn trails for this year were already over and the data had been sent. "As is the procedure, we will burn the trial plot. However, we will not allow the trails next year," he said.
On March 23, farmers led by former state minister N D Patil, leader of Peasants and Workers Party, staged a dharna at MPKV's Kolhapur farm, where the trails were being conducted.
“Agriculture is a state subject. The MPKV told us that the decision to go ahead with the trails was a decision taken at the behest of the ICAR. But it should have been cleared at the state level. This has not happened because there is no state biotechnology coordination committee or a district-level committee,” Patil told the media here on Thursday.
Following protests, an inquiry committee led by Patil was set up. The members included Rajesh Krishnan (Greenpeace India), Kavita Kurunganti (Kheti Virasat Mission) and Dilip Deshmukh (Maharashtra Organic Farming Federation), among others.
“We raised questions on what kind of assessment was done with regard to GM corn; whether bio-safety issues, health hazards or environmental implications were taken into consideration, whether Environment Protection Act rules were followed, what process of decision making was followed by the Government before allowing these trails to take place. The MPKV is accountable for farmers here ”” did they consider their needs before accepting this trial,” Patil said.
The inquiry committee members have also raised the contamination caused by BT Rice trials in Jharkhand in February despite claims of protocols laid down by authorities.