Even as the Kerala government has urged Centre to stop field trials of genetically modified (GM) rubber in the Rubber Research Institute of India located in the state, rubber growers of the state have come out given a clean chit to the trials. The central government has permitted field trials of GM rubber.
At a time of shortage, there is no option but to go for such experiments, says Indian Rubber Growers Association (IRGA). Therefore there is no justification for curtailing or making negative campaign for the field trial, said Siby Monippally, general secretary, IRGA and member Rubber Board.
Technological up gradation and keeping pace with the changing times is absolutely essential when the country targets to meet the demand of 15 lakh tonne of natural rubber per year, he said.
Rubber Board had started research on developing GM Rubber in the year 1995. Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, export body, has given approval for field trial. Rubber Board will conduct only field trial, environmental and other aspects of the matter will be studied and final decision for introduction of GM clones will be decided only after a transparent procedure, taking confidence of all stake holders including e nvironmentalists.
Early this month, Kerala agriculture minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran had asked Union minister of state for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh to revoke the permission given for field trials of GM rubber. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) had, on November 15, given its approval to RRII, Kottayam, to go ahead with the first trials of GM rubber in Kerala.
“First of all, agriculture is a state subject and Kerala had a right to be GM-clone free, Ratnakaran told FE. His letter to Jairam Ramesh says that “it is of serious concern for Kerala that this is the first such trial in a tree crop anywhere in India and this is being permitted in a biodiversity-rich region.”
Another minister from the State, Binoy Vishwom, who handles environmental affairs, too has written to Union Minister seeking withdrawal of the trials,since it would be hazardous to try out GM crops near the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot.