The new union environment minister Jairam Ramesh in his maiden press meet on Friday said that there has to be clear distinction between use of bio-technology in food and other crops.
While acknowledging that use of BT cottonseed has lead to huge increase in cotton production in the country during last 5 years, Ramesh said the government should be cautious in allowing the new technology in the food products. ?I am clear that BT cotton and BT brijal are not two similar crops,? he said. ?The use of pesticides in cotton crop has definitely reduced not completely stopped as initially claimed by BT companies such as Monsanto,? Ramesh said.
?I am sure there has to be rigorous testing of these products prior to its use in food production,? Ramesh said. The government must operationalise the proposed National Bio-Technology Authority so that stringent checks are followed prior to the use of BT technology, he added. The government is yet to take call on introduction of BT brinjal for commercial cultivation in the country.