India: Supreme Court rejects centre's plea to go ahead with release of GM mustard

Published Aug 29, 2023

Tridge summary

The Supreme Court has denied the government's request to proceed with the environmental release of genetically modified (GM) mustard, emphasizing the need for further examination to ensure the preservation of the environment and ecology. The court also reminded the government of its earlier promise not to proceed without the court's approval. While the government argued that the release was necessary for research purposes and to address the country's heavy dependency on edible oil imports, petitioners and their counsel objected, calling for a halt to all testing and disposal of already sown GM mustard.

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Original content

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to allow the government to go ahead with environmental release of genetically modified (GM) mustard, saying it needs to be examined first as environment and ecology have to be maintained.A bench led by Justice BV Nagarathna refused to discharge. The government from its earlier assurance that it would not take the process forward without the courts nod. If we discharge you, what remains then in the matter... Environmental harm cannot be reversed later... we have to understand the whole problem, Justice Nagarathna told additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, who sought environmental release of GM mustard as the growing season is fast approaching in September and October.Bhati argued that there are huge policy implications in terms of food security as the country is heavily dependent on imports for edible oil. Stakes are huge. This is not for any commercial release but for environmental release so as to carry out the research which has been ...

Source: Economic times