Rice traders and environmentalists have issued a stark warning to the Indian government saying that trials of genetically modified (GM- genmodificeret) rice may harm exports and jeopardise the livelihoods of millions of poor farmers, BBC Online reports Friday.
The campaigners say that they are concerned that commercial rice crops could become contaminated (inficeret) by GM strains which will affect overseas sales. They say that could lead to restrictions on Indian crops abroad.
India is one of the worlds largest exporters of the long grained, aromatic Basmati rice.
Small scale trials of GM strains have been carried out at 10 locations across the country since 2005. The government allowed the trials to go ahead despite protests over trials in other GM foods such as mustard and brinjal (aubergine).
Last month however the Supreme Court suspended fresh tests on all crops pending a further court hearing.
Feelings are running high on the issue. On Saturday, nearly 400 protesting farmers set fire to a farm in the state of Haryana where tests for GM rice were being carried out.
They point to the European Unions decision to impose compulsory testing on all shipments of long grain rice from the US, after commercial supplies were found to be contaminated with GM strains.
