In the two-hour discussion which began from 9.00 am, Mr Jean-Francois Bence, head of the external relations of EESC, Ms Renita Bhaskar, First Secretary, Trade and Economic Affairs of EESC, Prof Jan Simons, member, Transport, Prof Mihai Manoliu, member, EESC and Lutz Ribbe, Director, Der Naturschutzpoltischen Abteilung were present in the roundtable discussion with the delegation of Bharatiya Krishak Samaj.

Bharatiya Krishak Samaj (Indian Farmers' Organisation) leaders brought to the notice of the European team about the plight of Indian farmers on account of the unfair trade practices of the developed nations. The Indian farmer leaders said that the high levels of farm subsidies of developed nations have distorted agricultural prices in the global market, making farm exports from developing countries almost unviable. The high tariff barriers and unnecessary non-tariff barriers and stringent and politically motivated sanitary and phytosanitary measures of developed nations has also adversely affected exports from developing countries. The adamant attitude of the developed nations has made difficult for the successful conclusion of the Doha Round.

On the issue of genetically modified (GM) food, the Bharatiya Krishak Samaj (BKS) offered to extend its cooperation with the European consumers in rejecting GM crops and food. The BKS urged the European Commission to further take up the issue of GMOs in the WTO and see that no imports of GM food take place in Europe. The BKS leaders discussed with European leaders and pointed out reports and findings of several scientists about the health and environmental hazards of GM crops. The BKS urged the European Commission to exert their influence to stop the menace of GM crops. The BKS leaders narrated that the India farmers have suffered heavy losses on account of Bt cotton farming.

The BKS leaders said that India has about 60% of cropped land in rainfed areas which do not have any assured irrigation facility. These areas are organic by default. The produces from these areas can easily be marketed in Europe, which has a large market for organic products. Unfortunately, very few areas of the country has been certified as organic as the cost of certification remains high and unaffordable to farmers. Therefore, the BKS leaders urged the European Commission to help making the procedures for organic certification cheaper and also facilitate certification of more and more organic farming areas in India.

BKS leaders urged the European Commission to cooperate with India in combating global climate change in the upcoming Copenhagen Summit. The developed nations should drastically cut their levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The global climate change has caused droughts in large parts of India, this year.

However, in the name of global climate change, the BKS cautioned the European leaders not to go for largescale cultivation of Bio-Fuel crops, displacing food crops as such a measure would cause food security problems worldwide.

The BKS also emphasized that there should be NO patent regime on life forms.