Supreme Court Asks Centre To Maintain Status Quo On Release Of Genetically Modified Mustard Seeds

A bench comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Sudhanshu Dhulia passed the interim order on the application of Aruna Rodriguez, an activist campaigning against genetically modified crops. The order imposed a status quo on the decision of Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, which cleared the proposal for commercial cultivation of Genetically Modified Mustard. The decision of GEAC was recently given a green flag by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan appearing for Rodriguez apprised the bench that a Technical Expert Committee was constituted by the top court to look into the issue of genetically modified crops. He said that the committee has held that the HT(Herbicide Tolerant) crops are unsuitable and unsustainable in India and that the herbicides sprayed on the HT Crops can cause Cancer. He also informed the Court that the Committee had recommended a total ban be imposed on the HT Crops on precautionary principle as no studies related to its long term effects on human health, animal health and biodiversity was conducted.

Advocate Bhushan further submitted that the Court had on previous occasions recorded the submission of the Government whereby it was stated that no decision was taken regarding the release of GM Mustard and if any such decision would be taken, it would be brought before the court. He also informed the Court that the approval given by GEAC could cause irreversible damage to the biodiversity.

The bench inquired about the status regarding the release of the Genetically Modified Mustard from the Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati appearing for the Union Government.

ASG Bhati upon instructions submitted before the court that the seeds were going to be planted at the fields of Indian Council of Agricultural Research. She also informed the court that she would submit the documents regarding the approval granted and other processes before the bench.

The bench then went on to direct the ASG to ensure that no precipitate action takes place until the application is heard. The Court has posted the matter for further hearing on 10th November 2022.