| Bt brinjal trials have to wait (2/6/2006) | |
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EXCERPT: Civil society organisations including, the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA), Secunderabad and the country's largest farmers' body, Bharat Krishak Samaj (BKS) have objected to this move of the GEAC saying that the 15-day time is too short a period to comment on a scientific study on biosafety. Bt brinjal, being the first transgenic food crop in the country awaiting commercial approval, needs careful analysis relating to health hazards. CSA has already presented before GEAC instances of death of about 1,800 sheeps grazing on Bt cotton fields in four villages near Warangal in Andhra Pradesh. "The Shepherd Union has placed the death toll of sheeps in Warangal district around 10,000," said Kavitha Kuruganti of CSA. Bt brinjal trials have to wait NEW DELHI, JUNE 1: The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC)on Thursday deferred its decision of allowing large scale field trials of four varieties of Bt brinjal hybrids, developed by Mahyco [Monsanto's corporate partner in India]. It decided to post on its website details of biosafety studies relating to Bt brinjal, conducted by the company at the instance of the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM). It also intends to invite comments on these biosafety studies within 15 days from all concerned. Thereafter, the GEAC will take up the issue of allowing large scale field trials of Bt brinjal in its next meeting. Mahyco has developed MHB-4 Bt, MHB-9 Bt, MHB-80 Bt and MHBJ-99 Bt varieties of Bt Brinjal hybrids and has sought permission for large scale field trials and seed production in this kharif (summer) season. Civil society organisations including, the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA), Secunderabad and the country's largest farmers' body, Bharat Krishak Samaj (BKS) have objected to this move of the GEAC saying that the 15-day time is too short a period to comment on a scientific study on biosafety. Bt brinjal, being the first transgenic food crop in the country awaiting commercial approval, needs careful analysis relating to health hazards. CSA has already presented before GEAC instances of death of about 1,800 sheeps grazing on Bt cotton fields in four villages near Warangal in Andhra Pradesh. "The Shepherd Union has placed the death toll of sheeps in Warangal district around 10,000," said Kavitha Kuruganti of CSA. The GEAC has sought expert opinion on the report presented by CSA. |
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