Supreme Court Adjourns Plea Challenging Release Of Genetically Modified Mustard Seeds To Nov 29

The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned to November 29 the hearing in a plea challenging the environmental clearance granted for Genetically Modified Mustard Seeds. The Union of India has filed a detailed affidavit in the matter regarding the process of decision making, the regulatory frameworks and its impact on the nation. An intervention application has also been filed on behalf of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathan.

A bench of Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Sudhanshu Dhulia kept the matter for 29th November for further hearing. Senior Advocate Sanjay Parikh appearing in the matter submitted before the Court that he wants to read the Technical Expert Committee Report in the matter. The bench said that it would not be possible for the bench to go into the technicalities.The Supreme Court had earlier orally asked the Union of India to maintain status quo on the commercial cultivation of Genetically Modified Mustard Seeds and not to take any precipitate action on release of the seeds.

The Court was hearing the matter filed by Gene Campaign and Aruna Rodriguez, an activist campaigning against the genetically modified crops. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee had earlier this year cleared the proposal for commercial cultivation of the Genetically Modified Mustard. The decision of the GEAC was also given a green flag by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Gene Campaign And Anr. v. UoI And Ors. WP(C) No. 115/2004

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