Govt to prosecute US seed giant Monsanto

The government has decided to prosecute American seed giant Monsanto and its Indian collaborators for allegedly using local eggplant varieties to develop Bt Brinjal without prior approval of the competent authorities.

The government has decided to prosecute American seed giant Monsanto and its Indian collaborators for allegedly using local eggplant varieties to develop Bt Brinjal without prior approval of the competent authorities.

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The decision to initiate legal action against Mosanto and Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company (Mahyco) and other Indian collaborators was made public yesterday by National Biodiversity Authority of India (NBA), a statutory body set up under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

The official resolution in this effect was taken in the NBA's meeting on June 20, according to a statement issued by
Environment Support Group (ESG)-- a voluntary organization striving to defend the natural resources and communities inthe areas of environmental and social justice.

The action was taken on a complaint by ESG before the Karnataka Biodiversity Board on February last year, it said.

Following the complaint, the Board investigated the matter and found that the companies have used "six local
varieties" of eggplants to "develop Bt Brinjal without prior approval from State Biodiversity Board or National
Biodiversity Authority".

Furnishing a variety of documents in support of its contention, the Board has sought "further action" by NBA on the basis of the complaint, the statement said.