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Any body can help me to translate the article to English.
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Pawar on a sticky wicket after batting for toxic pesticide
By A. M. Jigeesh in New Delhi
AGRICULTURE minister Sharad Pawar has been caught on the wrong foot and may have to face a privilege motion in Parliament for misleading the House on the issue of banning endosulfan, a pesticide with multiple health hazards.The minister had informed the Lok Sabha on February 22 that a number of states were against imposing a ban on the pesticide and wanted to continue using it. ” There are a number of states and farmers’ organisations which want to continue the use of endosulfan,” he had said.However, information obtained under the RTI Act from the Union ministry of agriculture reveals an entirely different story. The RTI response, contrary to what Pawar said in Lok Sabha, mentions that not a single state has so far requested the Centre not to ban the pesticide.The ministry has so far received just six letters — none from the states — with the plea that endosulfan should not be banned.Besides, three endosulfan producers have also requested the government to desist from banning the pesticide. A letter provided by the ministry from the Consortium of Indian Farmers Association ( CIFA) also urges the government not to ban the pesticide.The CIFA questions the findings of the National Institute of Occupational Health and Centre for Science and Environment, which state that the use of endosulfan can create serious health issues such as cancer, autism and neurological ailments. The ministry handed over these details in response to the RTI application filed by Kerala- based journalist D. Dhanasumod.The RTI letter, dated March 8, also reveals that the Centre has not reacted to the demands by Kerala and Karnataka governments to ban endosulfan. ” No letter was sent by the ministry of agriculture to various states regarding the ban on endosulfan during the period January 1, 2010, to December 22, 2010,” Vandana Jain, deputy secretary in the ministry, said in the RTI reply. Both the state governments have already banned the use of the pesticide.When MPs from Kerala and Karnataka, during the recently concluded Budget session, asked Pawar whether the Centre had any plan to ban the pesticide, he said: ” There are a number of states, there are a number of farmers’ organisations and there are a number of farmers’ leaders who have taken a different stand. They want to use this particular pesticide.They have said their experience is extremely good and there is no case like Kerala elsewhere in the country.” Justifying the application of the pesticide by a number of countries where it is being used, Pawar said: ” It is true that endosulfan is banned in about 60 countries, but there are 40 countries where endosulfan has been allowed. Countries like Brazil, Australia and China do allow endosulfan even today.” Pawar also told the House that the government had appointed four committees of scientists since 1992 and all of them favoured the use of endosulfan.The CPM, though, is not convinced.The party has said it will move a privilege motion against the agriculture minister. ” Pawar is depending on just six letters for not banning endosulfan. Already, 73 countries have banned the pesticide.There at least 20 studies to prove that it is dangerous. He is playing into the hands of endosulfan producers and dealers,” CPM deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, P. Karunakaran, said.The political implications of Pawar’s defence of the pesticide notwithstanding, several organisations and groups have pointed out the harmful effects of its prolonged use.” Children were found to be the worst affected with congenital anomalies, mental retardation, physical deformities, cerebral palsy, etc. Men and women were also affected with various chronic ailments,” says an association working for those afflicted by the use of endosulfan in Kerala and Karnataka.The government has received 3,000 letters from organisations as well as individuals demanding a ban on the product. The National Human Rights Commission, too, has demanded a ban on the pesticide.Regarding the future course of action, Pawar had remarked: ” They ( the committees) also said that if the spraying is harmful, it should be stopped. But knowing well the reactions from the media, environment groups and particularly a large section of population from Kerala, the government has decided to appoint a committee under the Indian Council of Medical Research.The panel will go into the details and we will accept their recommendations.”CONTROVERSY BREWSPawar informed Parliament that a number of states were against banning the pesticide endosulfan He also claimed that the experience of many farmers’ organisations with the pesticide was ” extremely good” An RTI reply, however, revealed that not a single state opposed the ban The letter, in fact, revealed that Kerala and Karnataka had called for a blanket ban on the pesticide The CPM lambasted the minister for his defence of the pesticide and accused him of concealing facts The party said it will move a privilege motion against Pawar According to Pawar, the government will appoint a committee under ICMR to look into the matterLOWDOWN ON ENDOSULFAN
Endosulfan is an off- patent organochlorine insecticide.It has emerged as a highly controversial agrichemical owing to its acute toxicity and potential for bioaccumulation. A global ban on its use and manufacture is being considered under the Stockholm Convention.HEALTH HAZARDIt can act as an endocrine disruptor, causing reproductive and developmental damage Symptoms of acute poisoning include hyperactivity, tremors, convulsions, lack of coordination, staggering, breathing problems, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea and unconsciousness Many cases of sub- lethal poisoning have caused permanent brain damageEndosulfan can promote proliferation of breast cancer cells Doses as low as 35 mg/ kg are known to have caused deathCourtesy – http://epaper.mailtoday.in/epaperhome.aspx?issue=442011 (Page No. 4) -
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Decision taken in the 104th meeting of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee
(GEAC) held on 15.11.2010.The 104 meeting of the GEAC was held on 15.11.2010 in the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) under the chairmanship of Shri M.F. Farooqui, Additional Secretary, MoEF and Chairman, GEAC. The deliberations and decision taken in the GEAC meeting in respect of Agenda items 4 to 6 are
as follows:…………………….
5.11 Permission to conduct Biosafety Research Level-1 (BRL-1) trial of Para Rubber Tree [Hevea brasiliensis [Wild. Ex Adr. De Juss.) Muell. Arg.] on Hb. SOD-L1 & L2 (Two transgenic events lines)] by Rubber Research Institute of India, Kottayam.
5.11.1 The Committee considered the request of Rubber Research Institute of India, Kottayam. has requested permission to conduct Biosafety Research Level-1 (BRL-1) trial of Para Rubber Tree [Hevea brasiliensis (Wild. Ex Adr. De Juss.) Muell. Arg.] on Hb. SOD-L1 & L2 (two transgenic events (lines) developed using the same gene construct in the same species and variety) containing manganese superoxide dismutase gene (cDNA) . Trials will be conducted at two locations, namely Dapchari, Thane and Chethackal, Thombikandom, Kerala belongs to Rubber Research institute in an area of 0.4 ha.
5.11.2 The Committee noted that the purpose of the trials is to evaluate:
i. The potential of Hevea brasiliensis transgenic plant integrated with MnSOD gene for enhanced tolerance to abiotic stress and tapping panel dryness syndrome as well as to assess the capability of the plants to grow better with higher yield under adverse conditions.ii. The proposed design is RBD with four treatments, five replicates and a plot size of six. Boundaries and isolation belt will be planted with non-modified Hevea brasiliensis plants.
iii. The data to be collected include growth and latex yield data recording; physiological parameters determining abiotic stress tolerance such as leaf water potential, photosynthetic net assimilation rate (‘A’), fluorescent parameters like Dark Fv/Fm & Phi. PSII; antioxidant enzyme assay of superoxide dismutase & peroxidase and estimation of H2O2 content.
iv. TPD (tapping panel dryness syndrome ) incidence will also be recorded.
5.11.3 The Committee also noted the following reproductive isolation measures are
proposed:
i. In the Trial site-I, towards the eastern and western side, for about 200 m no sexually compatible species are growing. Towards the northern and southern side, 75 m each will be kept as isolation belt by planting the same species.ii. In the Trial site-II, 50 m on all sides will be kept as isolation belt by planting the same species.
iii. In both the trial sites, after flowering (by the 5 year after planting), all the seeds produced by the existing plants of the same species within 100 m from the boundary of the trial area will be collected and destroyed by burning.
5.11.4 The Committee further noted that the IBSC has recommended the proposal. The application was earlier considered by the RCGM in the 88 meeting held on 20.04.2010 wherein it was decided that the opinion of three scientists specializing in molecular biology viz. Dr. M. Udaya Kumar, UAS, Bangalore; Dr. V. Siva Reddy, ICGEB, New Delhi and Dr. Sanjay Kumar, IHBT, Palampur may be taken prior to forwarding the same for GEAC approval as this would be the first transgenic tree crop to be permitted for BRL-I trials. Based on comments of the three scientists and clarifications submitted by the applicant, the proposal was recommended by the RCGM in the 94th meeting held on 26.10.2010. The Committee considered the comments received from the experts and noted that the applicant has provided requisite clarification satisfactorily.
5.11.5 In view of the above stated facts and taking into consideration the recommendations of the RCGM, the Committee approved the request to conduct Biosafety Research Level-1 (BRL-1) trials of Para Rubber Tree [Hevea brasiliensis (Wild. Ex Adr. De Juss.) Muell. Arg.] on Hb. SOD-L1 & L2 (Two transgenic events lines.
See an old post below:
What are the results from this trial? Indian Rubber Board never published the need and benefits from this trial. Kerala has the highest productivity in the World for Natural Rubber Production. Instead of the remedies for few defects for the high yielding clone RRII 105 the research Institute spreading 400 series clones without any proper trial. We saw the animals dead on the field of BT Cotton at Andhrapradesh. After the post postmortems of dead animals the AHC “observed black patches in the small intestines, enlarged bile duct and lever with discoloration and accumulation of pericardial fluid”. And BT Cotton seed oil is feeding the Indians without labeling the same. Even people who eat meat from animals fed GM cotton seed cake may be at risk. I am not feeding cotton seed cake to my animals.The first green revolution with chemical fertiliser, pesticides, weedicides etc are the harmful result we are facing in Agricultural sector.TPD due to physiological disorder can be rectified by the maintenance of physiological order. Rubber Research Institute have to observe balanced micro macro nutrients input and quality of latex at the time of tapping. Then RRII 105 will be the best verity rubber plant in the World.I am totally worried on the health of next generation.Warning: It is a long term crop, will contaminate the environment, harmful to bees flies animals human etc. Read More from GMO Basics >>>>Genetic engineering doesn’t happen in nature. Scientists force genes from bacteria and viruses into plant DNA, which result in dangerous side effects. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine urges all doctors to prescribe non-GMO diets to everyone.GMOs are not “Green.” GMOs use far more herbicides, damage soil and marine ecology, harm beneficial insects, and cross pollinate. Their self-propagating genetic pollution will outlast the effects of climate change and nuclear waste!
We want soil health for sustainable agriculture and survival of humanity.
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Everything You HAVE TO KNOW about Dangerous Genetically Modified Foods from Jeffrey Smith on Vimeo.
Genetically modified seeds will gradually dominate our farm fields. Thats what the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee is trying to do. We don’t need such a committee. ‘G.E.A.C quit India’ – that is the only thing an earth loving farmer can say. Through genetic engineering, if the plant tissues are made poisonous to scare pests, it is not hard to predict, in what way that poison will affect humans and animals. We had to wait many years before identifying that the first green revolution gifted us only with reduced soil quality and deceases. GM seeds are getting prepared to become more disastrous than that, by terminating the traditional seed varieties.Now dairy farmers cannot whole heartedly feed cattle with cottonseed meal. Only time will prove that oil made from genetically modified cottonseed will only be harmful to us. Despite having precious medicinal qualities,edible oils like coconut oil, being outperformed by other edible oils, and are taking over our kitchens.
Is G.E.A.C trying to make us spray new weedicides that are harmful to the nature, soil and earth worms, in order to kill the weeds that are genetically evolved with the GM crops. When our agricultural scientists are becoming agents of weed killer brands like ‘Roundup’, farmers can only see them as enemies. No big experiments are needed to prove the harmful effects of GM crops – earth worms cannot thrive in the compost made from GM crops. Infertility of seeds are a grave threat. The possibility of spreading of unwanted infertility in other organisms can not be ignored.The goal, if on the other hand, is to reduce food scarcity, isn’t it better to genetically modify humans? It is better to reduce the size of the stomach, hunger and quantity of food intake. Is this the only way the U.S can recover from the Recession, by selling medicines for deceases caused by using GM food? If Genetic Engineering were to increase the biodiversity by ensuring the nutrient balance of the soil, we would have welcomed it with big hands. All that Kerala and India earned from Ayurveda till date, will be destroyed from the entry of GM crops. Our water resources are already polluted and dying. The B.T. crops will add further more havoc to their future.
We can only trust and rely upon cattle breeding, improved dairy production and organic farming techniques. Farmers becoming purely commercial and unconcerned about others health, will only destroy our future generations. We have read that cattles grazed on the B.T cotton fields in Andhra Pradesh died and the postmortem revealed holes in the hearts of these animals. The same may be the fate of humans too, by using food from B.T crops .
Picture Courtesy: The Hindu
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