PM holds consultation on Bt brinjal issue

Against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding the Bt brinjal issue, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today held consultation with some his colleagues and said bio-tech regulator Genetic Engineering Approval Committee will address concerns thrown up.

Singh also said the government will soon be moving forward in setting up a National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority, which will inspire confidence and stimulate public and private investment in biotechnology.

The meeting, attended by Union Ministers Sharad Pawar, Kapil Sibal, Jairam Ramesh and Prithviraj Chavan, agreed that biotechnology is an important option for higher agricultural productivity and ensuring food security.

"At the same time, we must ensure that it has no adverse effects on human and animal health and bio-diversity," media adviser to Prime Minister said after the meeting.

The Bill to set up the NBRA seeks to regulate research, import, transport, use of organisms and products produced from modern bio-technology.

"It is hoped that the GEAC will address the concerns for resolving all scientific issues relating to Bt brinjal," the statement said.

Amid opposition from his ministerial colleagues and certain section of the scientific community, Ramesh firmly stood by his decision to impose a moratorium on production of Bt brinjal.

Rejecting the contention that the moratorium on genetically modified brinjal is "anti-science", he said the moratorium period will be used to build a consensus".

There has to be a political consensus as chief ministers of states have not agreed and also there is no scientific consensus, he said.