Govt to prosecute US seed giant Monsanto

New Delhi, Aug 12 (PTI) The Indian 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 decision to initiate legal action against Mosanto and
Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company (Mahyco) and other Indian
collaborators was made public Thursday 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 organisation
striving to defend the natural resources and communities in
the 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.