Bt cotton can kill farm animals; centre order probe

It's good to see the Indian gov't finally taking some concrete action.
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original-newstrack

Bt cotton can kill farm animals; centre order probe

By Sadiq Ali


New Delhi

June 18: In a landmark decision Andhra Pradesh state government has advised farmers not to allow animals to graze on Bt cotton fields after presence of toxins was reported by some relevant institutes.

The advise, which can set a precedent regarding the use of genetically modified varieties of crops, came after reported deaths of animals and confirmation of nitrates and nitrites along with residues of organophosphates confirmed by top research institutes of the state.

Several domestic animals mainly goats and sheep grazing on post-harvest Bt cotton fields were found dead in Warangal and Adilabad districts of AP in 2006 and in the first two months of 2007.

State administration has informed the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests about its findings. Taking cognizance of the issue the ministry has ordered a probe.

The confirmation of toxins was made public after Andhra Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory, the Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, the Western Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and the Department of Agriculture, N.G.Ranga Agriculture University found the presence of nitrates and nitrites, and residues of organophosphates in Bt cotton plants.

Andhra Pradesh has reiterated that bio-safety studies of Bt cotton seeds are yet to be conducted. AP was the first state to move the Monopolistic and Restrictive Trade Practices tribunal against the high price of Bt seeds.
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complete article here

I'm sure the shepherds and goatherds that have lost hundreds of animals after they foraged on Bt cotton have quite another and it's been bolstered by vets and scientists hired by the shepherds union. unfortunately Monsanto and the Indian government have a lot more money, but the sheep and the goats that eat Bt cotton keep dying. Keep your opinion, by all means, but a dead goat is a dead stinking goat. I'd stay and chat but I hafta go see a doctor. ta.

You say hundreds of animals are dead? The article says this:


Several. That doesn't translate to "hundreds".

And, in reference to your intentionally misleading title, why don't you show us in your article where the death of those animals is attribute to Bt cotton. Good luck.

the range of pet deaths running from 17 to 400,000. I guess being factual these days is far less important than finding a source to support whatever position you're taking.

And, for the record, the notion that accumulation of nitrates or nitrites in forage is a Bt cotton-specific phenomenon is pure hysterical nonsense.

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Fascinating.

into the subject box here and started the thread. It was the title when I pasted the links here.And it's still the title. But the three times *you* went there it wasn't the title. you must be all kinda special.;)

When someone posts an information-containing article that's negative on GM/GE agribusiness.

gone, dismantled, illegal, and ALL of their chemicals. every single one, even if there is one good one in there somewhere.

Perhaps it's something post-gestation?

More info:

http://www.countercurrents.org/kavitha010507.htm

http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2408/stories/20070504001504800.htm

http://www.laleva.org/eng/2007/03/animals_die_after_grazing_on_bt_cotton_fields.html

And, in addition to health issues, check out this beautiful nugget:

http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/16/stories/2007021617501300.htm

MUMBAI: A new study on the introduction of Bt cotton in Vidarbha reveals that it has failed in the region. Suman Sahai, Director of Gene Campaign, told journalists on Wednesday that despite specific knowledge that Bt cotton would not work in rainfed areas, the government had introduced it in Vidarbha. The result was that in an area with a history of indebtedness, the high input costs of Bt cotton had increased indebtedness. The study had shown that 70 per cent of small farmers had already lost their landholdings as collateral for loans that they could never repay.

Oh yes, GM/GE crops are grrrrrrrrrreat! For patent and shareholders ...

And not Bt toxin?

original-gmwatch

Mortality in Sheep Flocks after grazing on Bt Cotton fields
– Warangal District, Andhra Pradesh

Report of the Preliminary Assessment

April, 2006

Background

Over the years there is a steep decline in availability of grazing lands in Warangal district with increased cultivation of commercial crops. On secession of rainy season, usually the sheep and goat are allowed to graze on left over fields after harvesting of crops. This year several reports appeared in media on steep rise in sheep and goat deaths after grazing in Bt cotton fields in Warangal district. During 2005 similar reports appeared and complaints have been lodged with Joint Director Agriculture by few NGOs. No action has been taken.

This year again shepherds of Warangal district reported that there was high mortality in their flocks between February – March 2006, after grazing on harvested Bt cotton fields. Some shepherds reported this incidence to the animal husbandry department, and requested them to confirm whether the deaths in their flocks were due to grazing on Bt cotton fields. Based on the complaints a fact finding team has been constituted by AP Shepherds Union (Andhra Pradesh Gorrelu Mekhala Pempakam Darula Sangham). The team consisted of five members two from Anthra, an NGO working on livestock issues, a veterinary scientist, Dr. Ramesh and a field researcher, Mr. Apparao, along with Mr. Jamalaiah, Secretary, Andhra Pradesh Shepherds Union and two scientists from Centre for Sustainable Agriculture working on Bt cotton issues, Mr. S. Ramprasad, and Mr. G. Rajashekar. The team traveled in three mandals in Warangal district on 22 April, 2006 and met several shepherds and farmers.

The villages visited were Ippagudem (Station Ghanapur Mandal), Valeru, and Unkkucherla (Dharmasagaram mandal) and Maadipalli (Hasanparthi mandal).
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complete article here