KARACHI, Nov 19: Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) is against the promotion of genetically modified basmati rice and has urged the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to immediately impose ban on its cultivation.

The association has pointed out that presently various world markets are conscious and concerned about “genetically modified products” and ban has been imposed by many countries on import of these varieties.

Similarly, the REAP is also opposing its promotion by keeping in view imposition of ban by many countries on import of “genetically modified rice varieties”. The association demanded of the government to encourage maximum export of conventional or organic rice from the country to various world markets.

The REAP further said that “genetically modified” or GM food crops are far from a success story. In complete contrast to the impression given by the world bio-technology industry, it is clear that they have not realized most of the claimed benefits and have been practically or economic disaster.

They further said that widespread GM contamination has severely disrupted GM-free production, including organic farming, destroyed trade and undermined the competitiveness of North America’s agriculture. GM crops have also increased the reliance of farmers on herbicides and leading to new weed problems as well as to many legal problems such as accusations of farmers infringing company patent rights. Above all claims of increased yields have not been realized, it added.

On the other hand, organic farmers world over are struggling practically and economically as majority has been unable to sell their produce as organic due to contamination. All non-GM farmers are finding it very hard or impossible to grow GM-free crops.

The genetically modified crops would obstruct the government from meeting its policy objectives that farming should be more competitive and meet consumer requirements for which the government should ensure that the expansion of organic farming is not undermine by the introduction and evolution of new genetically modified varieties of rice.