CSE responds - THE HINDU

The Centre for Science and Environment on Monday reacted sharply to an advertisement in which, it claimed, Mumbai-based Centre for Environment and Agrochemicals has made several scurrilous and baseless insinuations and statements against it and its director-general Sunita Narain.

Responding to the latest “attack”, the CSE noted that it has “remained steadfast in its opposition to rampant and unregulated use of deadly pesticides in the country, which has earned it the ire of the industry and its allied bodies. We have been regularly targeted, threatened and attacked by the pesticide lobby. Accusations of a personal and vile nature have been hurled at me, but we have not retreated”.

As for the allegations in the advertisements, it said: “Responding to an advertisement like this is way beneath our dignity, but our campaign against pesticides is far too important for us – which is why we would like to put our point of view across.”

“The pesticide manufacturing industry and its front organisations are back at their old game – of trying to smother anyone who would have the temerity to say anything against pesticides,’’ said the CSE.

It also charged that “the Centre for Environment and Agrochemicals, which claims to be a non-profit organisation working for farmers, has known links to the pesticide industry. Its chairperson is Rajju Shroff, who heads United Phosphorus Ltd, the largest manufacturer of pesticides in India. Shroff and the organisations he is associated with have been at the forefront to muzzle independent research and science in the country”.

On the timing of the allegations levelled against it, the CSE said: “It is interesting to note here that CSE has recently written to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and the Union Ministry of Agriculture bringing to their notice the fact that despite the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Pesticides (which was set up after a CSE study exposed the presence of pesticide residues in soft drinks), procedures on pesticides continue to be compromised on health.’’

In a review carried out by it, the CSE said it was also revealed that the JPC’s recommendations on laws and procedures are being completely ignored. Therefore, Ms. Narain said, the advertisement was “another tool in the method adapted by this industry to deal with dissent – file cases in courts, do whatever it requires to muzzle independent science”.

Stating that the advertisement addresses sitting judges of the High Court and uses their photographs to draw attention, the CSE said it also “makes wild allegations – though not new or novel. The same organisation that has published this advertisement has been virulent in its attack against CSE and has used every means possible to defame and hurt our reputation. We believe that this is another variation of what is called ‘SLAPP’ in the US – ‘strategic lawsuits against public participation’.’’

“The matter in the High Court is clearly important, and has high stakes for the industry. This is why it is resorting to such tricks. But clearly the issue also has high stakes for all of us – our health is on the line here,” it contended.