June 11, 2015

 

Outcry over Pakistani bill to allow import and sales of GM crops

 

 

A proposition that would allow the import and commercialisation of genetically-modified (GM) crops in Pakistan, known as the Seed Amendment Bill 2015, had been approved by the country's Senate committee, much to the displeasure of opponents railing against a local presence of GM cultivations.

 

As the government faces criticisms for coaxing the National Assembly into passing the bill during a period marred by terror attacks, experts warned that Pakistan's food security hangs in the balance if GM crops are permitted.

 

Especially contentious was the fact that the bill allegedly turned a blind eye on an eight-year trial period of GM crops in different locations to examine adaptability of such cultivations. Damming as it is, the current opprobrium declares that GM cotton in Pakistan is a failure, with complaints over escalating employment of pesticides and falling yields since the seed's introduction into the country. In addition, pests quickly developed resistance to the variety.

 

Accusations continued to rouse over a potential introduction of Bollgard II, a second-generation Bt cotton seed, by the government even after disappointing results from Bollgard I cultivations over the last five years.

 

According to the opposition, 85% of Pakistan's corn belt has been occupied by Bt cotton.

 

Expressing his sentiments against the hasty passing of the bill, Mohammad Mohsin Khan Leghari, a senator, warned of collateral damages against affected communities, highlighting neighbouring India as an example.  "Farmers (there) are committing suicide because of poor results of growing Bt Cotton. They are entangled in a web knit by multinational companies and their indigenous cotton seeds have been wiped out," he said. "…why are we pushing for the bill when nations from Asia to South America have had terrible experiences with GM crops?"

 

Given the absence of staunch regulations on imported GM seeds in Pakistan, Leghari believes that the Ministry of Food Security and Research should ensure that seeds are disease-free and suitable for the local environment. Furthermore, the country is deficient of mechanisms and manpower to maintain oversight of GM cotton, Seerat Asghar, the Federal Secretary for Food Security and Research, admitted whilst supportive of the bill as it would ensure appropriate measures in place.

 

"To satisfy the committee, the government will consult its members while making rules on imports of GM crop seeds to (toughen) regulations," the official assured.

 

Bound by the Cartagena Protocol on Bio-safety, Pakistan is obligated not to allow the import and commercialisation of GM crops if proper bio-safety regulations and infrastructure are not installed.

 

To address concerns of farmers, lawyers, civil societies and seed company associations, the Senate chairman had referred the bill to the Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security.

 

A unanimous support of the bill was reached following three hours of discussion, Syed Muzafar Hussain Shah, the chairman of the Senate committee, announced.