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Govt Refuses to Give Go-ahead to Bt Brinjal, Finally

Under fire both from within and outside, the central government has declined to give a go-ahead to commercial cultivation of Bt Brinjal, reported PTI.

Informing about government’s cautious approach on the issue, environment minister Jairam Ramesh said that there existed ‘no clear consensus’among the scientists and stake-holders on whether to allow Bt Brinjal cultivation and that more studies were needed to be conducted, said report.

“There is no over-riding urgency to introduce it… When the public sentiments have been negative, it is my duty to adopt a cautious, precautionary and principle-based approach,” he was quoted as saying.

Ramesh was addressing a hurriedly-convened press conference which was originally scheduled for Wednesday.

“I will not impose a decision till such time independent scientific studies establish safety of the product from long-term view of human health,” Ramesh was quoted as saying.

Noting that it was a difficult decision to take, the minister said that he had to balance many issues of science and society and producer and consumer, report said.

However, Ramesh made it clear that decision taken with regard to Bt Brinjal did not cover future of genetically-modified crops, be it ladyfinger, cabbage or rice, said report.

Ramesh’s decision came after a series of public consultations in seven cities across the country, that often turned acrimonious. A number of State governments, including Congress-ruled Andhra Pradesh, have publicly opposed the introduction of Bt Brinjal.

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