Jairam Ramesh, We thank you for the democratic process you have undertaken to democratize the debate on the genetic engineering

Dt: 09.02.10

Bhubaneswar: Sri Jairam Ramesh at the Press Conference in Delhi declared a moratorium upon a particular variety of Bt Brinjal. He said he was balancing science and society.

The farmers and scientists who oppose Bt Brinjal are unhappy that instead of totally rejecting GM food and crops, there has been only a moratorium on Bt Brinjal. Within the time other GM varieties could be considered for approval as he has emphasized that the moratorium is only on one variety of Bt Brinjal and that too on commercial release and not on research.

There are 41 other food crops lined up for approval among the 65 crop varieties under research. Now if another Bt Crop is approved by the GEAC will the Minister again go out to the people?

The moratorium may be fruitful if there is truly an impartial and independent study by scientists who do not have any conflict of interest. Instead if the GEAC depends on the company for tests then this moratorium is of no use.

Concerned citizen are also apprehensive that Bt Brinjal seeds may be sold in the market without government approval.

The GEAC needs to be revamped and capable scientists must take over. There should be transparency and no juggling of figures or hasty approvals.

We thank the Minister for delaying the immediate release but much more needs to be done to restore the confidence of the public. We thank the scientists and the people of Orissa for resisting Bt Brinjal. Special thanks are also due to the State Agriculture Minister Dr Damodar Rout for vehemently criticizing the decision of the GEAC.