New Delhi, India
June, 2007
USDA/FAS GAIN report IN 7052
(excerpt)
Andhra Pradesh government hints
at GM Seed Act to control Bt cotton seed activity
The Andhra Pradesh government is
likely to bring out a GM Seed Act in the next few days to
regulate sales, quality and distribution of genetically modified
seeds. Though the term GM looks generic, the intention of the
government is to control Bt cotton seed activity in the state.
The Andhra government has also requested the central government
to retail cotton seed in the Essential Commodities Act, which
would reinstate the state government's power to dictate the
marketing of cotton seed. The State Minister of Agriculture
asked farmers not
to pay more than rs. 750 per packet for Bt cotton seeds,
including the new generation Bt -II seeds as it gives no
significant benefit to the farmers. (Source: Business Line,
06/15/07) Post Comment: The Andhra Pradesh government has been
at the loggerheads with Monsanto's local joint venture company
on the issue of pricing of cotton seed. The Bt cotton seed
producing companies, mostly licensees of Monsanto's Bt
technology, have been forced to lower Bt cotton seed prices to a
ceiling price of rs. 750 per packet (450 gm Bt and 150 gm non-Bt
cotton seed). However, the second generation Bt -II (stacked
genes that provide a shield against bollworm and heliothis)
cotton seed prices have been fixed at rs. 950 per packet by
Monsanto's licensee seed companies, which is being opposed by
the Andhra government.
Full report:
http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200706/146291412.pdf
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