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| Jairam puts Bt brinjal on hold |
| BS Reporter / New Delhi Feb 10, 2010, 00:12 IST |
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 Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh today imposed a “moratorium” on the commercialisation of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) brinjal until such time as long-term scientific studies could establish its safety impacts on human health and the environment.
The minister’s announcement came a day ahead of schedule. At a hurriedly convened press conference, he refused to be drawn into giving a time-frame for the studies, leading to some speculation that Bt brinjal’s commercial production may be effectively banned.
There was “no hurry” and “no over-riding food security issues” associated with Bt brinjal to merit any urgency, he said. In fact, Ramesh, said, “if long-term toxicity studies have to be done, they should be done”. He said his job now was to restore public confidence and trust.
Bt brinjal was cleared for commercialisation by the genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), a statutory body, in October last year. However, a furore over the safety aspects of genetically modified food, led the government to reconsider the GEAC decision. Ramesh started public consultations across seven cities in January, which ended only on February 6. Thirteen states, including some of the main brinjal producing states, refused commercialisation.
The controversy had caused a split within the ruling United Progressive Alliance, with Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar strongly coming in support of the introduction of what would have been India’s first GM food crop.
 Pawar steered clear of controversy today, maintaining he needed to know more about the decision before he could offer detailed comments. He added, however, that “one thing is clear that environment ministry’s clearance is necessary for the launch of any new seed. Unless and until such a clearance is given, my ministry will not propagate any new seed.”
Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal, however, minced no words and said Ramesh “had bowed to populism”.
The minister said the moratorium period should be used to have a serious debate in Parliament and a comprehensive discussion in the National Development Council.
Civil society, however, applauded the decision. Activist Vandana Shiva felt today’s announcement would effectively prevent the introduction of Bt brinjal because the process — of a moratorium followed by studies — was the same as Europe, after which GM foods were banned. What the minister has asked, she added, will need a minimum of two to three years of work.
Green Revolution scientist M S Swaminathan, termed it “a step in the right direction”.
Ramesh today promised changes in several of the regulatory steps that have been criticised by scientists. Among these would be changing the name of the Genetic Engineering Approvals Committee to Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee. The reason for this, Ramesh said, was that “people should not assume they are coming for approval.It’s a psychological factor. It’s a mindset we need to change.” He emphasised that clearance should be given only where there is sound scientific evidence.
He also said there was a need to look at current procedures, a long-standing demand of activists. He called for more transparency in the functioning of GEAC and the need for this statutory body to work with other scientists.
Ramesh said GEAC should consult with top scientists and draw a fresh protocol for specific tests that need to be conducted to “generate public confidence”. He said Bt brinjal needed to be treated with more caution than drugs.
“It’s been a difficult decision to take. I had to balance science and society, Centre and state, production and conservation. As a responsible minister, I have to take a considered decision,” Ramesh told reporters.
A 19-page release gave details of the discussions held by the minister with various stakeholders and expressed the different points of view.
He agreed that Bt cotton had been approved for commercial use in the country, but separated the two issues, saying this was a food crop and this would be the first genetically modified vegetable globally, so caution needs to be exercised. He said the decision had been arrived at after consulting all views and talking to prominent scientists.
Also read:
Feb 7: I’ll have the final word on Bt brinjal: Ramesh
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