The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) on Wednesday gave its nod to the environmental release of Bt Brinjal, the first genetically modified food crop. With this, Bt Brinjal is expected to be commercially launched in the country despite protests from environmental groups over health issues.
Sources told FE that GEAC accepted the recommendation of a special committee, set up to study bio-safety data of Bt Brinjal. Local seed company Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co (Mahyco) is developing the food crop with technology assistance from US-based multinational Monsanto.
Monsanto had given the technology free to Tamil Nadu Agriculture University and the University of Agricultural Science, Dharward for commercial use after due regulatory approval.
Mahyco had claimed that Bt Brijnal, which is resistant to pest and also entails far lesser use of pesticides, would be available to small farmers through public agencies.
GEAC has now referred the matter to environment and forest minister Jairam Ramesh for further decision.
While a GEAC official declined to comment, Ramesh later told reporters ?I understand that GEAC has given approval for the environmental release of the Bt brinjal and, I will study the panel?s report before deciding whether it should be given clearance or not?. He, however, did not specify any timeframe when the decision would be taken by the government.
If commercially released, Bt Brinjal would be second crop after Bt Cotton, which was introduced in 2002 to be commercially cultivated in the country.
Many environmental groups have been opposed to BT Brinjal saying there are enough number of indigenously developed brinjal varieties in the country and the government should not use Bt crop in a hurry without ?satisfying? the health impact.
?If Bt Brinjal approval happens, it would open the floodgate to all the 56 crops including 40 other food crops, which are presently undergoing various stages of approval. This in the absence of a labeling law leaves consumers with no choice,? Krishna R, campaigner, sustainable agriculture, Greenpeace India, said.
?It will help millions of brinjal farmers who have been suffering from the havoc caused by the Brinjal Fruit and Shoot Borer (BFSB) and it will help farmers tackle this pest in an environment-friendly manner and increase yields and farm income,? Raju Barwale, managing director, Mahyco, said in a statement.
Brinjal is grown in around 5.5 lakh hectare in the country and is an critical cash crop for more than 1.4 million small and marginal farmers. West Bengal is the biggest producer of brinjal in the country with 1.6 lakh hectare under cultivation. The State accounts for 30% of production.