Market Sensitive News
2/9/2010 10:59 AM
ET
(RTTNews) -
The proposed launching of genetically-modified version of aubergines, known as brinjal in India, the country where the vegetable originated, was suspended by the government considering safety concerns.
A decision to halt the cultivation and marketing of what would have been India's first genetically-modified (GM) vegetable crop was announced Tuesday by Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.
Addressing a press conference a day earlier than scheduled in the capital, New Delhi, Ramesh said more studies were needed to ensure genetically-modified brinjals were safe for consumption.
"There is no over-riding urgency to introduce it... When the public sentiments have been negative, it is my duty to adopt a cautious, precautionary and principle-based approach," Ramesh said.
The ban on growing Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) brinjal would remain in place until "independent scientific studies establish safety of the product from long-term view of human health," he added.
However, he made it clear that the decision applied only to BT brinjal and did not cover future of, where the cultivation of genetically-modified seeds for cotton was allowed in 2002.
Ramesh made the announcement a day after stating that "the interests of consumers, producers and also the need of conservation of bio-diversity and reduction in usage of pesticides would be kept in mind while taking the final decision on mass cultivation of BT brinjal."
The Minister suggested a detailed discussion on the issue in Parliament and the National Development Council of state Chief Ministers.
Replying to a question, he said as Environment Minister, he had not met representatives of any company involved in genetically-modified crops though as Commerce Minister he had met them in the past.
With several states, environmentalists, and scientists in India saying no to BT brinjal, pressure was building up on the government not to go ahead with allowing the cultivation and marketing of the vegetable, which is a popular dish in the Indian vegetarian menu.
The government organized a series of public consultations in seven cities across the country, which were marked by strong resentment against the 'disastrous' new generation experiment.
The research on BT brinjals in India was started in 2000 and the country's GEAC (Genetic Engineering Approval Committee) approved its commercial cultivation last October. Debate was heating up over the safety of BT brinjal with mixed views from scientists working for the government, farmers and environment activists.
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