Chhattisgarh seeks ban on GM food cultivation

New Delhi, Oct 31 (PTI) The Chhattisgarh government
has sought the intervention of Indian Environment Minister
Jairam Ramesh in not allowing commercial cultivation of
genetically modified BT brinjal in the country.
"We are seeking the intervention of the environment
minister to stop commercial cultivation of BT brinjal. We have
already sent a letter to Jairam Ramesh and also the Union
Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in this regard,"
Chhattisgarh Agriculture Minister Chandrashekhar Sahu told PTI
here Saturday.
Biotechnology regulator Genetic Engineering Approval
Committee (GEAC) on October 14 had cleared Bt brinjal -
the country's first genetically modified (GM) food — for
commercial use. The government is, however, yet to take a
decision on the matter.
Sahu said the committee's decision was taken in haste
so as to serve the "vested commercial interest of
multi-national companies such as Monsanto" which are involved
in developing genetically-modified crops.
Before giving the nod to commercial cultivation of
such crops, the government should make a proper policy in
consultation with Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR) and other research organisations, he said.
"Commercial farming of the genetically modified
vegetable would have serious impact on human life as well as
environment," he said citing dispute among the members of GEAC
on the matter. (MORE) PTI