They also observed that there is no inclusive act or law in the country to fully protect the rights of the consumers.

Bangladesh Resources Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK) organised the seminar on 'Safe food and food security: A fair deal for customer, consumer and producer' at Chhayanat Bhaban in the city ahead of the World Environment Day to be observed today.

Speaking as the chief guest, Khusi Kabir, coordinator of Nijera Kori, said the law enforcers are conducting drives against corrupt people every day, but "how do the corrupt business syndicate remain out of this drive"?

Abul Khayer, a reporter of the Ittefaq, who was honoured for his series stories on 'Adulterated food', said that a criminal can kill a person, but this syndicate is killing a nation.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan of Bangladesh Environment Lawyers' Association (Bela) said there is no law to safeguard the rights of consumers in the country.

Sometimes there are inconsistencies in laws and policies, she added. Giving an example, she said the National Fisheries Policy has prohibited the introduction of invasive fish, but there is no mention of it in the fisheries law.

According to the law, only genuine fishermen can take up a lease on water bodies, but the contradiction is that the lease money was fixed at Tk 5 lakh, she said, adding that how the genuine fishermen, who are mostly poor and underprivileged, could pay such a huge amount.

Sharing their experiences, several farmers said they have lost their rights to seeds and food varieties.

Farhat Jahan of ActionAid Bangladesh said there is an international conspiracy to eliminate local food varieties.

Abu Naser Khan of Paribesh Bachao Andolon also spoke on the occasion, while Pavel Partha, researcher, BARCIK, delivered the keynote speech.