Seed and Planting Material Act No ---2013

Main objectives: - To keep with the new trends of scientific agricultural development in the country. - To improve the agricultural productivity: The use of low quality seeds has led to various issues including low productivity and farmer disputes.

Part II It appears that small-scale local seed exchange and production programs are under threat. Part III (2) (i) Genetic modification of food crops appears to be promoted. Standards and resolutions are going to be determined to proceed with GM crop production. Part IV (4) (c) Facilities are going to be provided for identification of GM crops. It is extremely dangerous that the use of GM technology for Sri Lankan agriculture is going to be introduced and legalized. Solid scientific evidences are being emerged about the risk of eating GM food on human health. Based on some crucial findings, Europe has taken measures to stop the spread of agriculture with GM technology. For example, a number of Member States have invoked a socalled 'safeguard clause' (Art. 23 Dir. 2001/18/EC). According to this clause, Member States may provisionally restrict or prohibit the use and/or sale of the GM product on its territory.

General concerns: environmental pollution, unintentional gene transfer to wild plants, possible creation of new viruses and toxins, limited access to seeds due to patenting of GM food plants, threat to crop genetic diversity, religious, cultural and ethical concerns, as well as fear of the unknown. Harm to other organisms. For example genes and their effect included in a crop may turn out to be poisonous to insects (monarch butterfly poisoned by GMO corns). Cross-pollination with traditional, organic plants. Cross pollination can occur at quite large distances. New genes may also be included in the offspring of the traditional, organic crops miles away. This makes it difficult to distinguish which crop field is organic, and which is not, posing a problem to the proper labeling of non-GMO food products. Spread of new, more resistant "super weeds Spread of new, more resistant "super pests". Major trading countries that obtain most of the benefit from the production and trade of genetically modified crops. This might cause more geopolitical conflicts. New trade, tariff and quota issues may arise between countries, regions. As the USA is the biggest producer of GMO crops, their exports may rouse more anti-American feeling, due to Americanization worldwide. Possible damages to the environment. Possible greed of GMO manufacturing firms. Unharmonized test-, and safety standards around the world. Possible creation of new kinds of weapons; genetic food and beverage weapons. Additional costs of labeling whether products are GM or not. This might increase costs of foods. Widening corporate size gaps between food producing giants and smaller ones. This might cause a consolidation in the market: fewer competitors increase the risk of oligopolies, which might increase food prices.

Larger companies might have more political power. They might be able to influence safety and health standards (example: less stringent regulations, standards and requirements). Unforeseen risks and dangers due to the complexity of nature. Allergies may become more intense, and also, new allergy types may develop.

Austrian Government Study Confirms Genetically Modified (GM) Crops Threaten Human Fertility and Health Safety - Advocates Call for Immediate Ban of All GM Foods and GM Crops IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 13, 2008) Some of the specific fears expressed by opponents of GM technology include alteration in nutritional quality of foods, potential toxicity, and possible antibiotic resistance from GM crops, potential allergen city and carcinogenicity from consuming GM foods.

We have already gone a long way forward with ecological agriculture that will open doors for the Sri Lankans in the future to gain access to poison-free healthy food. The biggest threat will come to the development of ecological agriculture in the country that depends exclusively on local inputs and technology. Certified healthy organic farm products will never be possible with GM crops growing in the same region.