The Chairperson,

Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee,

Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change,

Government of India.

Dear Sir,

Greetings! You would be aware of the Shetkari Sanghatana’s announcement of sale and sharing of illegal HT Bt cotton seeds as covered in various media reports (https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/shetkari-sanghatana-on-warpath-set-to-supply-htbt-cotton-seeds-again/article30414849.ece, for example). In village Hiwri in Yavatmal district, an event organised by SS took place yesterday.

In the past, we had complained to the GEAC, based on which GEAC sent a letter to Chief Secretary of the state, in June 2019 asking for immediate investigation and action in the matter. It is important to note that in July 2019, several farmer unions had also written to the GEAC asking for strict action on illegal GM crop cultivation: http://indiagminfo.org/farmer-unions-write-to-geac-chair-demanding-strict-action-on-illegal-gm-crop-cultivation/. Further, a team of scientists also write to the then Maharashtra Chief Minister (http://indiagminfo.org/scientists-write-to-maharashtra-cm-mr-fadnavis-on-illegal-gm-crop-cultivation/).

A delegation from the Coalition met with the Chairperson, Joint Secretary of the Ministry and the Member Secretary and gave a detailed proposal of improvements to be made in the regulatory regime (http://indiagminfo.org/coalitions-proposals-for-regulatory-regime-improvements-submitted-to-geac-chairperson/).

We now request you to intervene urgently and ensure that no violation of the regulations takes place. Regulators need to take concrete action to cut off the supply chain of illegal seeds and other critical measures like getting a ban on herbicides like glyphosate to stop the spread of illegal HT cotton. We request and expect immediate action from the side of GEAC. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Kavitha Kuruganti

Co-Convenor

Ph: 8880067772

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