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TRANSCRIPT
Media Coverage Report
CropLife India’s views on the
Maharashtra Crisis
Farmer deaths in Maharashtra – are
pesticides responsible?
CropLife India urges Government for a
detailed investigation
Coverage Table
S. No. Publication Headline Edition
1. The Times of India No role in deaths due to pesticides: Indl associations
Online & Nagpur Print
2. Rashtra Prakash Are pesticides responsible for the deaths of farmers?
Nagpur Print
3. Yug Dharma Investigation required death due to pesticides
Nagpur Print
4. Mahasagar Are pesticides responsible for the deaths of farmers?
Nagpur Print
5. Yuvarashtradarshan Are pesticides responsible for the deaths of farmers?
Nagpur Print
6. Dainik Bhaskar Detailed investigation required for death of farmers
Nagpur Print
7. Nagpur Post Farmer deaths in Maharashtra – are pesticides responsible?
Nagpur Print
8. Punyanagari Farmer deaths in Maharashtra – are pesticides responsible?
Nagpur Print
9. National Sandesh Are pesticides responsible for the deaths of farmers?
Nagpur Print
10. Khabar Farmer deaths in Maharashtra – are pesticides responsible? CropLife India urges Government for a detailed investigation
Nagpur Print
Publication The Times of India
Date 22nd November 2017
Edition Nagpur
Publication The Times of India
Date 22nd November 2017
Edition Online
Hyperlink
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/no-role-in-deaths-due-to-pesticides-indl-associations/articleshow/61745094.cms
No role in deaths due to pesticides: Indl associations
Snehlata Shrivastav | TNN | Nov 22, 2017, 05:43 IST
Nagpur: The seed and pesticide producing industrial associations have claimed that they are
not responsible for the deaths due to pesticide inhalation.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is already in the final stages of preparing its report on the
cause of deaths of farmers and farm labourers in Yavatmal and other part parts Vidarbha.
In a letter to Maharashtra principal secretary (agriculture) Bijay Kumar dated November 8, the
National Seed Association of India (NSAI) said since the government was registering cases
against seed dealers and companies over the damage caused due to pink bollworm in cotton.
Hence, the association wanted to clarify that maintaining the 'trait' (Bt gene) purity in any seed
was the responsibility of the trait developer (which happens to be Mahyco-Monsanto). It said
maintaining the gene purity by breeding the seedings, which are sold to the farmers, is the
responsibility of the seed company.
The letter written by Kalyan Goswami reads, "It may be kindly noted that if the seed lot does not
have minimum gene purity as per the standards specified, only then the seed company is liable.
Once the seed lots meet the minimum standard of gene purity, there cannot be any further
responsibility on the seed company with reference to efficacy of the Bt trait."
The letter says there are unfound allegations that the refugia seeds are of bad quality.
According to the government's regulation, refugia seeds must have maximum of 5% seeds with
Bt gene. Only a very minute percentage of tested seeds may not fulfil this criteria for which only
the company concerned must be held responsible. Therefore, the damage of pink bollworm or
development of resistance cannot be attributed to the seed quality, it says.
Crop Life India (CLI), an organization of pesticide manufacturers including companies
like Bayer, Syngenta, Dow, BASF, Rallies India, SMC Corporation, Excel Industries etc,
stated in a release issued to TOI that it urges SIT for a detailed case-by-case fact-based
scientific investigation to arrive at the exact cause(s).
CLI CEO Brij Uberoi said the pesticides were brought into the market after lot of
research. "Pesticides are safe to use unless ingested," he said. He also insisted that with
over 99% dilution with water, the pesticides don't kill due to inhalation.
"Pesticides are being used throughout the country.
Why is it that deaths are concentrated only in Yavatmal district and some other parts of
Vidarbha? We want to know what else is responsible for these deaths and how," Uberoi
said.
The release claims that the members have been engaged in educating farmers on the
right use of pesticides, including the use of personal protective gear by the user.
Publication Rashtra Prakash
Date 23rd November 2017
Edition Nagpur
Publication Yug Dharma
Date 23rd November 2017
Edition Nagpur
Publication Mahasagar
Date 24th November 2017
Edition Nagpur
Publication Yuvarashtradarshan
Date 24th November 2017
Edition Nagpur
Publication Dainik Bhaskar
Date 25th November 2017
Edition Nagpur
Publication Nagpur Post
Date 28th November 2017
Edition Nagpur
Publication Punyanagari
Date 30th November 2017
Edition Nagpur
Publication National Sandesh
Date 28th November 2017
Edition Nagpur
Publication Khabar
Date 30th November 2017
Edition Nagpur