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Subject: [no-gmophils] FW: Syngenta caught in the act
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Subject: Syngenta caught in the act
=======================
AgBioIndia Mailing List
=======================
02 December 2002
Subject: Syngenta caught in the act
The Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), the umbrella
organisation for public sector agricultural research in the country,
has
taken serious note of the reported collaborative research project
between the seed giant Syngenta Corporation and the Indira Gandhi
Krishi
Vishwavidalaya (IGKV) at Raipur, in Chhatisgarh, in central India,
which
would have entailed transfer of rice germplasm to the private company.
The rice germplasm in question, comprises the 19,095 strains of local
rice cultivars, painstakingly collected by the legendary agricultural
scientist, the late Dr R.H.Richharia. The collections were earlier the
subject of a hot debate in the country when it was reported that the
germplasm had been transferred to the International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI) in the early 1980s. It was later found that the
germplasm collections had in fact been transferred and have further
been
passed on to the USDA collections at Fort Collins. The USDA collections
are outside the purview of the Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD),
which had for the first time treated plant germplasm as a national
sovereign property.
The ICAR has sought a detailed clarification from the agricultural
university and at the same time made it categorical clear that such a
transfer of genetic resources 'cannot be allowed' at any cost. This
goes
against various provisions for the protection of plant genetic
resources
under the national laws. However, the ICAR is unwilling to launch
criminal proceedings against the university vice-chancellor for
permitting biopiracy under a legalised frame-work.
Syngenta had earlier gone around agricultural unuiversities in the
country collecting hybrid varieties for marketing. This was also a
clever way of collecting genetic resources in the name of marketing the
varieties (at a nominal royalty payment of 5 per cent on the returns),
which was finally stalled by ICAR. Knowing that Syngenta Corporation
continues to look for avenues and opportunities for (mis)appropriating
valuable genetic resources, isn't the ICAR and the Ministry of
Environment and Forests competent to blacklist the company from any
further research collaborations? And if not, why not? Isn't it the
right
case to launch legal proceedings against both the university and the
private company? Why can't the government take the company to task and
thereby demonstrate its willingness to act against biopirates? What is
the use of framing laws and regulations when there is no will to act?
Contents:
1. Seeds: Source of life or profit making by Suresh Kumar Sahu
2. Syngenta-IGKV collaboration -- Civil society rejects
vice-chancellor's clarifications
3. Media update on Syngenta-IGKV collaboration
--------------------
1. Seeds: Source of life or profit making
By Suresh Kumar Sahu
The issue of Bio-diversity, rights over seed resources have once again
emerged as a challenge in front of us. In reality, farmers should have
the rights over germ plasm. The question arises that what should be the
process to exercise this right, what should be the civil and political
values attached with the use of resources, what should be the
arrangement for saving these resources from thrift or loot, in this
process what will be the role of farmer, consumer, scientist community,
government and widespread country loving citizens? These are such
issues
where conclusions cannot be drawn in a day but certainly require debate
on ground level. In this debate peoples' organisations and groups will
have to play an important role.
Since ages farmers especially women and tribals have protected and
developed seeds. In tandem with nature, farmers with their knowledge
base and life style have always protected the germ plasm. Hence they
deserve fundamental right of use and protection of the varieties of
germ
plasm.
Third world countries possess most germ plasm. Here there is a need to
view the rights over germ plasm at three levels. First, the seeds
available with farmers at his farmland, second, the seeds stored in
government gene banks and third, the seeds at international and private
organisations. However only farmers have rights over all this in
reality. Farmers can secure the use and protection of the varieties of
germ plasm present in their farms either themselves or in groups. There
is also a need to be aware about achieving the rights of farmers over
the collected seeds in government and international organisations.
In all over world Indira Gandhi University ranks second in its
collection of rice germ plasms. Chhattisgarh is one of the centre of
origin of the indica variety of rice is grown. The varieties of rice
found in chhattisgarh are one of its kinds. There are varieties present
in Chhattisgarh where the time range of harvesting the rice ranges from
60 days to 150 days; the largest size of rice variety- dokra-dokri rice
is also present here. Naargoidi rice
which can grow in around 10 feet of water is also of Chhattisgarh.
There
are both coarse and flavoured fine rice varieties existing here. Some
of
the varieties of rice contain high protein as well as medicinal
importance. The varieties are found according to the widespread land
situation and topography of Chhattisgarh. These varieties are neither a
product of test tubes in a lab nor are they dropped from the sky. In
fact, Chhattisgarh's
farmers have developed them through years of hard work spread in
several
generations.
With time there was a felt need of more production per unit area then
the farmers of Chhattisgarh in their own farm lands tried to choose and
promote more productive and disease resistant seeds. World famous rice
scientist Dr. R. H. Richharia recognised the potential of varieties of
rice plasms present and farmers rich knowledge and skill of farming in
Chhattisgarh. Dr. Richharia, with the combination of the two, began an
organised effort on sustainable rice farming in Chhattisgarh. Madhya
Pradesh rice research centre's main focus was Chhattisgarh's farmers
for
which the then agricultural department officials and their colleagues
worked day and night. It's important to note Dr. Richharia's strategy
and techniques vis-à-vis this work. The work done by Dr. Richharia
during this period is known as 'adaptive rice research'. In the first
phase of this work all the varieties of rice with relevant information
about them were collected from every corner of Chhattisgarh. From the
then undivided Madhya Pradesh around 19095 varieties of rice were
collected from all the districts.
These varieties were then grown in Baronda agriculture farm near Raipur
and then their qualities were documented. In this way study and
documentation of all the varieties of rice was the first stage of the
work. Here its important to note that the main aim of preserving the
varieties under 'adaptive rice research' was the development of such
varieties which could be again available to farmers and used by farmers
in their particular situations if they found them conducive. That means
here the implicit contract between farmers and Madhya Pradesh rice
research centre was the use of these seeds and developing new seeds,
which were conducive to the local situations, and giving them back to
the farmers. It was not at all for earning profit by allowing their use
by any company or organisation. Madhya Pradesh Rice Research Institute
(MPRRI) were using these seeds according to the consent by the farmers.
These collected and documented varieties were being tested in low
external input conditions which majority of the farmers
of Chhattisgarh practice and can afford. In these circumstances, better
performing seeds were chosen on the basis of 'pure line selection'.
Through this the respective seeds were given the name of BD selection.
Thus in this way Dr. Richharia tried to develop 1500 BD selections and
his next step was to make it available to farmers of Chhattisgarh where
they could grow seeds conducive to them. In Dr. Richharia's strategy
this was proposed that the model of Adaptive Rice Centre be implemented
in a decentralised manner which can take forward the work of
conservation and development of rice varieties. For this he gave a
suggestion to spread the network of ' adaptive research centres' in
entire Chhattisgarh. According to Dr. Richharia if one has to tell the
most important quality of rice plant, providing food to crores of
people, then it's the varieties evident in its thousands of varieties.
According to him 'adaptive rice centre' will be the reserve of all the
collected local varieties of rice. They would be kept alive in their
natural environment for securing the future.
The proposed MOU between Indira Gandhi Agriculture University and multi
national company Syngenta is beyond rational thinking. Syngenta is a
multi national company whose business is spread over 50 countries. The
mergence of seed and agriculture chemical departments of two companies
Novartis and Astra-Zeneca in December 1999 formed Syngenta. It is the
world's largest agriculture trade company. Its business is in
agriculture, chemicals and seeds. Among seeds their production's
important component is 'genetically modified seeds'.
Since last 25 years Indira Gandhi Agriculture University is situated at
Raipur. And from that time itself it has 19000 varieties of germ plasm
available for research. Many rice scientists are working from so many
years. After all now what's the research which these scientists are
incapable to do themselves? Has the university administration started
doubting the potentials of their scientists? After all what is the
technique used by Syngenta which the scientists of this university
don't
know? If we view the qualities of Syngenta we realise that under the
pretext of solving the problems it creates bigger problems. Syngenta
currently markets crops that are either herbicide tolerant or insect
resistant genetically modified (GM) crops. We all are aware that in our
farms along with the main crops there are also other biogenetic species
which we also use for food. Syngenta's technique will destroy all these
species.
Besides this these GM crops would have an adverse effect on whole
eco-system. For example, gene transfer to related wild species might
take place, creating herbicide tolerant 'super weeds'. Wherever these
crops are used signs of its adverse effects are visible, therefore
their
opposition has begun. In the same way for protection against insects
Syngenta's technique is such that insects will become resistant to the
inbuilt
insecticide and cause crop failures. That means any insect (useful or
harmful for farming) will die after coming in contact with these crops.
Gene transfer to related wild species might take place, creating insect
resistant 'super weeds'.
The GM crop, leading to genetic contamination with the foreign genes,
may pollinate neighbouring organic or non-GM crops. Genetic Use
Restriction Technique(GURT) is promoted to make the farmer dependent on
these companies for seeds every year. In our understanding after the
adverse effects of atom bomb, terminator technique (infertile seed
technique) is the biggest example of anti humanitarian technique and
Syngenta is leading for promoting this. Despite their widespread ill
effects on environment, farming and health Syngenta continues to
develop
and market GM crops and has remained in controversy. It's important to
ponder whether there is an hidden agenda to experiment this in
Chhattisgarh's farmers.
There is a trend of increasing investment in production and decreasing
production in today's agricultural arena catalysed by green revolution.
Now the most critical thing is to decrease the cost of production and
increase production keeping in view the environment balance. In these
circumstances, Chhattisgarh's farmers' seeds, knowledge and technique
is
more useful in increasing the production rate of rice and researching
the drought resistant varieties which Dr. Richharia had done at one
time
even in formal 'scientific frame'.
--------------------------
2. Syngenta-IGKV Collaboration
Civil Society Organisations reject Vice-chancellor's clarifications
Dr.VK Patil, Vice-chancellor of the Indira Gandhi Krishi
Vishvavidayalaya (IGKV) clarified the position of IGKV vis-à-vis the
Syngenta deal in a press conference on November 27th. The press
conference came soon after he was summoned by the Honorable Governor of
Chhattisgarh and asked to explain the details of the collaboration
following a huge media outcry and protests by Civil Society
Organisations across the state.
In a written statement the VC of IGKV was forced admit that the first
round of "informal preliminary" talks with Syngenta was held on July
31st, 2002 where a team of scientists including the Director - Research
Dr.Tripathy met the Syngenta representative Dr.Abraham to pursue a
proposal on collaborative research between Syngenta and IGKV.
Dr.Patil subsequently met Syngenta representatives in Aurangabad. He
could offer no explanation as to why a meeting with the Syngenta
representatives was not held in Raipur. He did insist however that
the
meeting was a preliminary one where he had clarified to Syngenta
officials that any agreement will have to be vetted through the
competent authorities including the ICAR, University Board and state
Government officials. According to the VC it was at this meeting that
Syngenta made clear the terms of the research offer under which they
would provide funding to the University and jointly develop hybrid,
drought-resistant rice varieties using the germplasm currently in
possession of IGKV. The new varieties would be marketed by Syngenta and
proportionate royalty given to IGKV.
Subsequently on October 23rd, 2002, a meeting was organised at IGKV
where senior University officials met Syngenta representatives - Dr.G J
Pal, Dr.M J Abraham and Dr. Bhargava. Syngenta officials had come to
discuss the 15 point draft MoU which they had submitted to the
University. Dr.Patil claimed that the conditions of the MoU including
the proposals for joint research were unacceptable to the University
which in turn therefore had prepared a 12 point MoU after consultations
with 12 senior scientists and other officials of the University. The
proposals included setting up a joint board for managing the programme
with 3 representatives each of Syngenta and the University. The Board
would be presided by a University official and would be co-ordinated by
a Syngenta representative. The proposal to use the germplasm in
possession of IGKV was agreed upon.
Despite persistent questioning by the media the VC refused to share the
copies of the MoU drafted by Syngenta. Going on the offensive he
claimed
that in a globalised era such collaborations were increasingly becoming
necessary and if any other company offered greater financial support
than Syngenta, the University was willing to negotiate with them and go
in for collaborative research on the germplasm with IGKV.
The VC also clarified that since they had not heard from Syngenta after
the
draft MoU (as proposed by IGKV), they had not gone in for further
negotiations. Dr. Patil insisted that at no stage was the University
considering compromising the IPR of the parental lines.
Interestingly, the VC went back on the earlier note released by IGKV
which seemed to suggest that the discussions were at an advanced stage,
on the grounds that it was based on incomplete information since both
the Director - Research and he were out of station at the time that the
controversy erupted.
Dr.Patil refused to categorically deny the allegations about the
transfer of rice varieties to IRRI but instead chose to say that he
was
unaware of the details of an enquiry of the nature that was suggested
by
the media.
-------------------
3. Media Update on Syngenta-IGKV collaboration
Dainik Bhaskar, Nov 9, 2002:
Title: "IGKV to grant the rights of rare varieties of rice to multi
national company"
· Meeting held in Germ Plasm centre, University on 23rd October 2002.
Attended by Head of Department, 3 scientists, 4 administrative officers
and 7 others.
· Opposition to company's terms and conditions by few of the
agriculture
scientists because the company would use this in its favour.
· Company is bent upon taking the rights of research on the use of
varieties of rice.
· VC, Dr. Patila told the representatives of the company to talk to him
after his 'Germany tour'.
· Preparation going on to secretly hand over the rights of research on
23,000 rare varieties of rice plasm to multi national company by the
University.
· Director of Hyderabad Rice Research Centre, Dr. B.Mishra opposes this
move.
· A fixed amount of money earned by selling the new hybrid variety of
rice in market would be given to the university as royalty. VC agreed
on
this bargain.
Navbharat, Nov 12, 2002:
Title: " Multi national company to prepare the hybrid varieties of rice
in Chhattisgarh"
· University to do the research jointly with Syngenta.
· Company to pay the royalty by selling the developed varieties in the
foreign market. Decision to be taken on this proposal after state's
approval.
· Germ plasm to be used only by them and will not allow it to go
outside.
· Both Logo of Syngenta and the University to be used on the packets
used for selling the varieties of rice.
Deshbandhu, Nov 15, 2002:
Title: "Agriculture University to hand over the rare varieties of rice
unknown to farmers to multi national company"
· This decision is opposed by a number of NGO's and Civil Society
Organisations.
· With the assistance of the farmers Dr. Richharia developed 17000
national varieties of germ plasms in Chhattisgarh. He was director of
Rice Research Centre, Madhya Pradesh (posted in Chhattisgarh). In 1977
document he has stated that better and more cost effective national
varieties than international ones are available in the market.
· He was ousted from his post because of opposing the foreign
varieties.
Deshbandhu and Navbharat, Nov 16, 2002
Title: "Opposition of granting the rights of rare varieties of rice to
multinational company Syngenta"
Attack on Chhattisgarh's identity- CPI (M)
· Sanjay Parate demands the state to intervene in this matter.
· Also stated that under this veil Chhattisgarh's farmers would be
compelled to buy the hybrid seeds.
Deshbandhu, Nov 18, 2002:
Title:"CM to have secret agreement with Syngenta- Brij Mohan
Agrawal(BJP
Leader) "
· Like other industry CM is spoiling Chhattisgarh's agriculture.
· Blaims the CM of attack on Chhattisgarh's identity by this move.
· Blaims the CM that the crop rotation change campaign was totally
based
on directions of multi national companies.
Deshbandhu, Nov 20, 2002:
Title: " After commitments to Syngenta, Agriculture University has not
kept the agreement."
· Dr. S.N Srivastava of Agriculture University denies of any agreement.
Also denies of any meeting held in Aurangabad.
· Syngenta proposed to work jointly on development of hybrid seeds
variety, drought resistant varieties and marketing strategy. Also
proposed to give grants to the university for research in which the
University and Syngenta would use the available germ plasm for
marketing
by Syngenta while the university would have the royalty for 7 years.
· Mr. Tripathy said, "University's officials denied to accept some of
the terms and conditions of Syngenta Company and proposed new
conditions
from the university's side". Also said that on this subject any
decision
can be taken only after agreement by University's scientists/officials,
University' s academic group, administrative group, Indian agricultural
research community and state government.
· University is waiting for company's answer.
· Made clear that parental license to be with the university.
Deshbandhu, Nov 26, 2002:
Title: "Efforts to justify after the illegal agreement with Syngenta"
· On 20th august 2002, VC met the officials of the Syngenta Company on
invitation, in Aurangabad.
· The present proposed agreement between Syngenta and University is
violation of Ritho agreement held 10 years back. This agreement took
place on 29 December 1993 in which 156 countries had signed and India
was one of them. According to this agreement germ plasm should be
protected at local level and before taking it anywhere the consent of
local communities should be obtained.
· Some of the varieties of rice have already reached foreign
countries.
· One of the scientist associated with agriculture university is of the
opinion that if there is an agreement with any multi national company
then the permission to use the seeds cannot be granted without
intimating National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR).
[We are thankful to Chhattisgarh Biodiversity Security Forum, which
provided us these updates. The Forum includes People's Union for Civil
Liberties (Chhattisgarh Lok Swantantra Sangthan), Ekta Parishad,
Rupantar, ActionAid, World Social Forum - Chhattisgarh Chapter,
Chhattisgarh Kisani Samvardhan Kendra and other organisations]
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