New Delhi, Oct 15 (Inditop.com) A series of consultations will be made before taking any decision on the release of Bt Brinjal in India, Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said here Thursday.
The minister’s statement came a day after the government’s biotech regulator approved the commercialisation of the genetically modified crop, leading to protests by environmental and farmers’ groups.
“During January and February 2010, I propose to have a series of consultations in different places with scientists, agriculture experts, farmers’ organisations, consumer groups and NGOs” on the subject of releasing Bt Brinjal,” Ramesh said.
“The decision will be made only after the consultations process is complete and all stakeholders are satisfied that they have been heard to their satisfaction.”
After the nod from the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), the environment ministry has to decide if Bt Brinjal will be allowed to be released commercially.
Ramesh said the GEAC decision was based on the recommendation of an expert committee, and the committee’s report was being made public immediately on the environment ministry’s website. The ministry is seeking comments from the public on the report. Comments can be made till the end of the year.
