Uttarakhand bans Bt Brinjal

NEW DELHI: In a snub to Sharad Pawar, who has been arguing for the introduction of Bt Brinjal, Uttarakhand has announced a ban on the genetically modified crop.

The Centre is yet to take a formal position on the issue. The final consultation meeting as part of the public hearings in seven cities convened by Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh is set to be held in Bangalore on Saturday.

"Keeping in view the sensitive nature of Uttarakhand and its diversities which have to be protected, we have to remain watchful against crops like Bt brinjal. We have decided to ban the farming of Bt Brinjal in the state," Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said in a statement in Dehra Dun.

Though several states including West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Kerala have opposed the introduction of Bt Brinjal, Uttarakhand has become the first state to announce a formal ban. Mr Ramesh had earlier said a final decision on the commercial cultivation of Bt Brinjal would be taken only after February 10.

The Bangalore meeting is likely to be stormy with pro-commercialisation and opponents gearing up to make themselves heard. Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has already sought deferment of release of Bt brinjal till the issue is thoroughly examined from all angles taking into account the views of all the stakeholders and conducting a long-term research for its bio-safety and its consequent contribution to food security and farmers' well being.