NEW DELHI: As the Centre made an impassioned plea for environment release of genetically modified (GM) mustard seed saying it is very essential for food security of the country, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said protection to environment and ecology is also important.
It adjourned to September 26 the hearing of the Centre’s plea seeking withdrawal of an oral undertaking about not pressing ahead with commercial cultivation of GM-mustard.
Appearing before a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati submitted that if the environment release of seeds is not allowed then years of research would get wasted. The court was hearing an application filed by the Centre which pleaded that it be discharged from oral undertaking or allowed to sow GM seeds this season at some sites.
“If your lordships discharge us from our undertaking, we can proceed to sow the mustard seeds at the ten sites initially proposed and carry out the research. Alternatively, at least allow us to sow seeds in the eight sites where we studied last year and place our report before this court. We are keen on not losing this season,” Bhati submitted.
The bench, however, raised concern over the alleged negative impact on the environment and said, “Environment and ecology has to be maintained. Any damage done to the environment can be irreversible.” It said it would pass an order only after hearing all the sides.
It adjourned to September 26 the hearing of the Centre’s plea seeking withdrawal of an oral undertaking about not pressing ahead with commercial cultivation of GM-mustard.
Appearing before a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati submitted that if the environment release of seeds is not allowed then years of research would get wasted. The court was hearing an application filed by the Centre which pleaded that it be discharged from oral undertaking or allowed to sow GM seeds this season at some sites.
“If your lordships discharge us from our undertaking, we can proceed to sow the mustard seeds at the ten sites initially proposed and carry out the research. Alternatively, at least allow us to sow seeds in the eight sites where we studied last year and place our report before this court. We are keen on not losing this season,” Bhati submitted.
The bench, however, raised concern over the alleged negative impact on the environment and said, “Environment and ecology has to be maintained. Any damage done to the environment can be irreversible.” It said it would pass an order only after hearing all the sides.
