‘Cannot reverse harm to environment’: SC defers hearing on GM mustard
Hindustan TimesNew Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed concerns over the release of genetically modified mustard, saying any harm to the environment cannot be reversed. With the second sowing season for GM mustard round the corner, the top court refused permission to the Centre to proceed with the sowing of the seeds and posted the matter for hearing on September 26. The bench, however, said: “At the same time, environment and ecology has to be maintained.” With the second sowing season for GM mustard round the corner, the Centre sought permission from the top court to proceed with the sowing of the seeds purely for research purposes, and not for commercial cultivation. One year has already gone by and truncated sowing will affect research.” To this, the bench said “nothing will happen for another three weeks”, and posted the matter for hearing on September 26. Senior advocate Sanjay Parikh, who appeared for Gene Campaign, told the court that the GM mustard crops planted last year should be uprooted as there is risk of its release into the environment.