STAFF WRITER 17:27 HRS ISTNew Delhi, Oct 31 (PTI) The Chhattisgarh government has sought the intervention of Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh in not allowing commercial cultivation of genetically modified BT brinjal in the country.
"We are seeking the intervention of the environment minister to stop commercial cultivation of BT brinjal. We have already sent a letter to Jairam Ramesh and also the Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in this regard," Chhattisgarh Agriculture Minister Chandrashekhar Sahu told PTI here today.
Biotechnology regulator Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) on October 14 had cleared Bt brinjal - the country's first genetically modified (GM) food ? for commercial use. The government is, however, yet to take a decision on the matter.
Sahu said the committee's decision was taken in haste so as to serve the "vested commercial interest of multi-national companies such as Monsanto" which are involved in developing genetically-modified crops.
"We are seeking the intervention of the environment minister to stop commercial cultivation of BT brinjal. We have already sent a letter to Jairam Ramesh and also the Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in this regard," Chhattisgarh Agriculture Minister Chandrashekhar Sahu told PTI here today.
Biotechnology regulator Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) on October 14 had cleared Bt brinjal - the country's first genetically modified (GM) food ? for commercial use. The government is, however, yet to take a decision on the matter.
Sahu said the committee's decision was taken in haste so as to serve the "vested commercial interest of multi-national companies such as Monsanto" which are involved in developing genetically-modified crops.
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