Pro-GM scientists urge lifting moratorium on Bt brinjal

<p>A group of agri scientists have contested reports linking farmers suicide in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra with failure of Bt cotton and has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to allow newer plant technology benefit cultivators by lifting moratorium on Bt brinjal.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the experts disputed reports that failure of Bt cotton is driving farmers in Vidarbha to commit suicide.

A copy of the letter, written by the group of agri scientists, has also been sent to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

The government put a moratorium on Bt brinjal in February 2010 in view of protest from anti-GM groups.