By IANS,
New Delhi : Chief ministers of several states had opposed the introduction of Bt Brinjal in India, citing threats to health, Ayurveda and livelihoods of small farmers. This perhaps influenced Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh’s decision Tuesday to place a moratorium on commercial cultivation of this genetically modified (GM) crop.
“We are convinced with the available information that GM crop are not economically viable for farmers. (It) leads to unimaginable health hazards,” Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
He went on to say that his state was “concerned” that the “country’s sovereignty over food and agriculture will be endangered”.
“Kerala has already taken a policy decision not to allow GM crops… Moreover, we are convinced that genetic modification of crops is not a solution for hunger as has been wrongly advocated by the proponents of GM,” Achuthanandan said.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, in a letter dated Feb 3, told Ramesh that his state would not introduce Bt Brinjal without “satisfactory” field trials.
“It is clear that the data generated, the test conducted and the information disseminated by GEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee) are not sufficient for suggesting the commercial release of Bt Brinjal. Until safety parameters in terms of the environment, human and animal health are clearly established, release of Bt Brinjal is to be deferred,” Rosaiah said.
In his letter to Ramesh, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said: “It has potential to threaten biodiversity, destabilise important ecosystems and limit the future agricultural possibilities in a region.”
While touching upon the threat to human health, Bhattacharjee said the claim of lower pesticide requirement for this GM crop was not based on facts. “While in the short term, one might expect some decrease in pesticide use, in the long run it may not be effective.”
“The farmers may not only become dependent on the monopoly suppliers for the seeds but also for other inputs as 98 percent of the world GM-seed market is controlled by only six companies,” Bhattacharjee argued.
Orissa Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout said commercialisation of this crop variety would hamper small farmers in the state, which accounts for 20 percent of brinjal production in the country.
“The fact is that 82 percent of farmers in Orissa are small and marginal, they are dependent on indigenous variety of Brinjal. It (Bt Brinjal) may lead to monopoly of a few seed producers, detrimental to interest of the farmers of Orissa,” Rout said, while also underlining the need for more field trials.
Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has a another concern. He felt, it would impact Indian systems of medicine. “Local brinjal varieties are being widely used in Indian systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Sidha and many home remedies. The Bt gene could pose potential danger to preparation of such medicines,” he wrote.
Both Gujarat and Maharashtra chief ministers wrote to Ramesh seeking time to examine the issue. Chhattisgarh Agriculture Minister Chandrasekhar Sahoo too urged the central government to carry out all necessary human and animal trials before allowing its commercialisation.