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Bt eggplants (brinjal) in India

 

Since 1999 GENET collects and distributes information on various topics in the field of genetic engineering in agriculture, food production and health. With this "Special Topic: Bt Brinjal in India" GENET aims at providing an overview about the debate on development and approval of Bt brinjal in this country, based on our archives.

2010-02-04 |

Indian Environment Minister snubs Agriculture Minister on Bt brinjal

Ramesh seems to have given a new twist to this debate by saying that GEAC itself had suggested government intervention. ”Since this decision of GEAC has important policy implications at the national level, GEAC has decided the recommendation for environmental release may be put up before the government for taking a final view on the matter,” Ramesh told Business Standard as he read from a letter dated September 15, 2009. GEAC Chairman M Farooqui, who is also special secretary in the environment ministry, confirmed such a letter had been sent before he took over in December. In a more direct attack on his ministerial colleagues, Ramesh said: ”Bt brinjal is not just a farmer issue. We cannot ignore larger consumer groups.”

2010-02-04 |

Ten Indian state governments say no to Monsanto’s Bt brinjal

Ten state governments have decided not to wait for the end of the controversy over whether genetically modified (GM) brinjal, popularly termed Bt brinjal, should be approved or not. They have decided not to allow it in their states anyway. Their representatives joined hands today at a conference called in Kerala by the state government and called their united stand the second war of Indian independence. They were from political parties of different hues but united by the common cause of opposing Bt brinjal, the genetically modified version of the vegetable, the technology for which is owned by US company Monsanto.

2010-02-01 |

Wide and vociferous protests against this genetically modified Bt brinjal

Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State for Environment and Forests, on Sunday had to face angry protests of farmers in Hyderabad over a move to produce the genetically modified Bt brinjal in the country. Protests and demonstrations were also held in New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday and Sunday. He had gone there as part of public consultations on Bt brinjal. Consultations are being held in Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Chandigarh.

2010-02-01 |

Don’t hasten introduction of Bt brinjal: M.S. Swaminathan

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a consultation on ”Effective community management of biodiversity in an era of climate change,” Dr. Swaminathan said: ”Every technology has its benefits and risks. But it all depends on our capacity to analyse risks and benefits. We must analyse whether risks are more or benefits are more. There should be an authority to analyse the risks and benefits in a transparent way. Unfortunately, we don’t have an authority like that.”

2010-02-01 |

Final decision on Bt Brinjal after 10th Feb says Indian Minister

Environment and Forests Minister, Jairam Ramesh has said that a final decision on introduction of BT Brinjal for commercial cultivation will be taken by the 10th of this month. [...] He appealed to all sections to express their opinions in a democratic and restrained manner. He also said majority of the Chief Ministers in the Country have opposed BT Brinjal.

2010-01-29 |

Indian States against hasty decision on Bt brinjal

Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh has said that several State Chief Ministers have asked him not to take hasty decision on the commercial cultivation of BT brinjal. Talking to reporters here on the sidelines of a National Consultation Meet on Bt brinjal, Ramesh said: ”Chief ministers of states such as Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Kerala, Karnataka and Orissa have written to me that there is a need to conduct more experiments on Bt brinjal.”

2010-01-29 |

Anti-GM movement hots up ahead of Jairam’s visit

In the run-up to a visit by Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh to the city on Friday, a series of protests as well as whirl of debates are being carried out by those opposing popularization of Bt brinjal among Indian buyers.

2010-01-29 |

Indian academics critizise Bt approval

A veteran professor of genetics at both Johns Hopkins University and the University of Texas, Dr Dronamraju has been nominated for a Nobel Prize, authored more than seventeen books, and was an adviser to the Clinton Administration. He also heads the Foundation for Genetic Research in Houston, Texas. [...] Dr Dronamraju will recommend a two-year moratorium on Bt Brinjal before further consideration.

2010-01-26 |

More Indian States joining Bt brinjal opposition

Joining the growing opposition to commercial cultivation of genetically modified Bt brinjal, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today said the state government would not allow the growing of the breed in the state. Talking to reporters here, he said he had written a letter to Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in this regard yesterday. ”I will not take any decision that may harm the interest of farmers in Karnataka. Bt brinjal could seriously affect the interests of peasants,” he said.

2010-01-26 |

In fight over Bt brinjal, Indian Congress backs Environment Minister

The fight between Union ministers for agriculture and environment, Sharad Pawar and Jairam Ramesh, over whether to clear genetically modified crop Bt brinjal for commercial use sharpened on Friday with the Congress backing the latter to the hilt. [...] ”It is not an issue between the agriculture and environment ministries. The government retains an overriding remit if larger issues of public interest are involved. To that extent, the environment minister is absolutely right in interpreting the responsibility of the government,” Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari said.

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