This battle is over data. civil society groups have come together to denounce Mahyco’s reluctance to prevent disclosure of bio-safety information on genetically engineered food crops including Bt Brinjal, which is undergoing large-scale field trials.

Mahyco has gone to Delhi High Court for quashing the Central Information Commission’s directives, pleading that disclosure of this information would hurt its commercial interest. Bt brinjal is the first food crop undergoing large-scale field trials in India.

After the Department of Biotechnology’s (DBT) refusal to pass the data in response to a RTI application filed by Greenpeace in 2006, the case was forwarded to the Chief Information Commissioner. The CIC overruled DBT’s contention and asked the department to divulge the test data in public interest, prompting Mahyco to approach the Delhi High Court.

Addressing a press conference here, Nikhil Dey from the National Campaign for Peoples’ Right to Information, said: “The case reflects how crucial information on public health and safety is put under wraps by public authorities even after the directives for disclosure under the RTI Act. This undermines accountability of a department whose primary job is to protect the interest of the ordinary people.”

Mahyco had completed safety tests as required by regulations in 2006 and had proceeded to conduct large-scale field trials.

“Refusal to divulge safety data on food crops is violation of consumers’ basic rights to information and choice and safety,” said Bejon Mishra, executive director for Voice, a consumer interest organisation.

Greenpeace has been demanding that safety data for all GM crops be available for public scrutiny.

... contd.