Kerala CM says no to BT brinjal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan on Tuesday strongly opposed any move to introduce Bt brinjal and other Genetically Modified food crops in the country saying it would lead to "colonisation of the food sector".

Kerala's resistance to GM crops did not mean it was against biotechnology, he said, adding, "We should not become part of a system that will destroy traditional seeds and crops and allow MNCs to infringe on agriculture sector."

Inaugurating a two-day national workshop on 'Introduction of GM crops--its merits and demerits', he expressed concern over the possible adverse impact of GM crops on biodiversity, human health and environment.

The workshop, jointly organised by the Kerala Agriculture Department and state Bio-diversity Board, would discuss implications of introducing GM crops on farmers' welfare, bio-diversity, food security, seed and food sovereignty.

The question of whether GM crops was a solution to hunger and poverty in India would also be discussed, as also the need for an alternative, environment-friendly and sustainable agriculture system that ensured food security, the organisers said.