By IANS,
New Delhi: After Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar opposed field trials of genetically modified (GM) crop Bt maize in his state, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh Wednesday said no trials will be allowed without the consent of the states.
The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), under the ministry of environment and forests, had allowed US-based firm Monsanto to conduct field trials of Bt maize in Bihar.
“I have asked the GEAC to immediately withdraw the orders. I have asked them to write to all the states asking if they recommend field trails of GM crops and they will be given a month’s time to reply. No field trials will be allowed without written permission of states,” Jairam Ramesh told reporters here.
Bt brinjal was the first, and maize is the second food crop for which the GEAC has given permission for field trials in India.
The ministry last year had put a moratorium on introduction of Bt brinjal in the country following protests from farmers and environmentalists, who say that GM crops are harmful for health and damage the eco-system.