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Cout has further directed that the National Policy to be formulated shall be given due publicity
The Supreme Court of India has directed Union of India to evolve a National Policy with regard to Genetically Modified (GM) crops in the realm of research, cultivation, trade and commerce in the country.
A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Sanjay Karol has further said thus National Policy shall be formulated in consultation with all stakeholders, such as, experts in the field of agriculture, biotechnology, State Governments, representatives of the farmers, etc.
"For the aforesaid purpose, the MoEF&CC shall conduct a national consultation, preferably within the next four months, with the aim of formulating the National Policy on GM crops. The State Governments shall be involved in evolving the National Policy on GM crops....Respondent – Union of India must ensure that all credentials and past records of any expert who participates in the decision-making process should be scrupulously verified and conflict of interest, if any, should be declared and suitably mitigated by ensuring representation to wide range of interests. Rules in this regard may be formulated having a statutory force", the bench has ordered.
In the matter relating to importing of GM food and more particularly GM edible oil, the government has been asked to comply with the requirements of Section 23 of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which deals with packaging and labelling of foods.
These directions have been issued by the top court while it delivered a split verdict in a batch of pleas challenging the validity of the Government's decision to allow environmental release of genetically modified mustard/ HT mustard /DMH 11 in five states.
While Justice BV Nagarathna has opined against the release, Justice Sanjay Karol has upheld the government's decision to allow release of the genetically modified mustard.
The matter will now accordingly be placed before the Chief Justice of India for his consideration.
In January this year, the bench had reserved its verdict after hearing submissions from Attorney General R Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on behalf of the government.
Central government last year had filed an application before the Supreme Court seeking discharge from its oral statement, that it would not take any precipitative action on the decision for environmental release of genetically modified (GM) mustard for seed production and testing.
Case title: GENE CAMPAIGN & ANOTHER vs. UNION OF INDIA & OTHERS
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