Bt Brinjal a conspiracy by MNCs: MP govt

Terming the move to introduce Bt Brinjal as a "conspiracy" by MNCs, Madhya Pradesh government today said it would not allow GM crops and would pass a legislation, if necessary, to ban them.

Agriculture being a state subject, the Centre could not impose its policy on states, Madhya Pradesh Agriculture Minister Ramkrishna Kusmaria, who was here to attend a two-day national meet on GM crops, told PTI.

On the recommendation of Genetical Engineering Advisory Board to introduce Bt Brinjal in the country, he said no independent study on the issue had been made and "all reports in favour of the GM crop are biased".

Introduction of Bt Brinjal is a first step in monopolising the agriculture and farming segments of the country by MNCs, Kusmaria said.

Once Bt Brinjal is allowed, more GM crops would make their way into the country, Kusmaria said, adding that they would not only destroy traditional seeds but also would have "adverse impact" on environment, animal and human health.

Explaining the "adverse effect" of Bt cotton that was introduced in Madhya Pradesh a few years ago, he said with the passage of time, people in the area under Bt cotton cultivation are raising many health and environment-related issues.

Noting that India is the centre of origin of Brinjal and over 2,500 varieties of the crop exists in the country, he said as per United Nations biodiversity charter, GM crops should not be allowed in places of centre of origin.