Re: [GENERAL] Suspicious Bill

While I agree that GM crops are a potential source of badness, this email is highly inappropriate for this list (as I'm sure you've been told by now.)

On Aug 18, 2011, at 2:22 AM, <shreeseva.it@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi ,

I just signed a petition asking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to stop the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill from being passed.

This bill will create a body which will single-handedly clear all genetically modified (GM) crops. Public opposition made the Karnataka government ban field trials of GM crops in the state recently. Now we need to get the national government to stop this bill.
You should ask Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to stop the dangerous BRAI bill too:

http://www.greenpeace.in/take-action/save-your-food/stop-the-brai-bill.php

Regards,

---

Click here to ask PM Manmohan Singh to save your food

Our government is working on a disastrous recipe. It’s a bill that will place genetically modified (GM) food on our plates, without our knowledge.

The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) bill can be tabled anytime in this monsoon session of Parliament. The bill, which is not even public, is being pushed in a hasty and secretive fashion. According to an earlier version leaked by the media, the bill will create a centralised non transparent body which will become the sole approver for GM crops. ^[1]

By being secretive, the government is only creating more suspicion about the intention of the bill. Public opposition helped stop Bt Brinjal, last year.^[2] Now we need to get the national government to stop this bill and save our food.

You should ask Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to stop this bill because it is not transparent.

http://www.greenpeace.in/take-action/save-your-food/stop-the-brai-bill.php

Opposition from people against GM crops in Karnataka made the government declare a ban on the field trials of GM crops in the state. ^[3] This can be achieved again. Support from lakhs of people will help put pressure on the PM to stop this bill.

The last known draft of the bill had a clause which allowed BRAI to escape the purview of Right to Information.^[4] If the bill is passed as is, we will not be able to stop genetic modification of 56 other crops in the pipeline.

Ask the PM to stop this bill now!

http://www.greenpeace.in/take-action/save-your-food/stop-the-brai-bill.php

Thanks a billion!

Kapil Mishra
Sustainable Agriculture Campaigner
Greenpeace India

P.S. Want to support our campaigns? We don't take money from any corporation, government or political party! We never have, and we never will. Do help Greenpeace remain fiercely and proudly independent. We will send you a Greenpeace T-shirt as a thank you for showing support for our campaigns. Click here to chip in.

Sources:

1. A law unto itself, www.outlookindia.com, March 8, 2010
   http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?264454
2. India says no to Bt brinjal, for now, www.rediff.com, February 9, 2010
   http://business.rediff.com/report/2010/feb/09/india-says-no-to-bt-brinjal-for-now.htm
3. No GM trials in State: Katti, Deccan Herald, July 20, 2011
   http://www.deccanherald.com/content/177877/no-gm-trials-state-katti.html
4. Biotech Bill: Sweeping powers, glaring omissions, www.rediff.com, March 11, 2010
   http://business.rediff.com/column/2010/mar/11/guest-biotech-bill-glaring-omissions.htm

shreeseva.it@gmail.com

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