India: For the present no approval for GM aubergine

(09 February 2010) The Indian government are for the present not going to give approval for genetically modified Bt aubergine (Brinjal). First of all, further scientific investigations should be undertaken. It became clear in several public hearings that the community in India is deeply split over the approval of Bt aubergine.

The Indian minister for the environment Jairam Ramesh told the press in New Delhi that it was a difficult decision. He had to take the Science, community, farmers and buying public equally into consideration.

Ramesh stated that the Bt aubergine would not receive approval until further independent scientific investigations on possible long-term effects on the environment and health have been carried out. The results of these investigations would have to convince both the general public as well as experts of the harmlessness of Bt aubergines. In addition, there was no particular urgency for bringing Bt aubergines quickly onto the market. This moratorium that is now in force is the present climax of a long public controversy.

Bt aubergine - known as Brinjal in India - was developed by Indian research institutes Mahyco (a company dealing in seeds) and Monsanto. Due to an introduced gene, the Bt aubergine produces a protein that is effective against the aubergine fruit borer, as pest that is widespread in many areas of India. Bt aubergine would be the first genetically modified food plant in India, where currently only Bt cotton is cultivated.

After many years of field trials and preliminary investigations, in October 2009, the respective Indian federal authority (Genetic Engineering Approval Committees, GEAC) came to the conclusion that Bt aubergines are safe. From a scientific point of view there are no reasons to refuse an approval.
However, in view of the fierce public controversy about Bt aubergines, the Indian government is delaying the approval. The Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, wanting to take a middle line between the extreme positions, proposed a series of public consultations, which have been taking place since the middle of January in many Indian cities. All community groups and individuals could take part in these discussions.

Non-governmental organisations, crofters, and environmental and consumer groups were able to build a strong political pressure against the approval of Bt aubergine. From their point of view there was doubt about the safety of the aubergines. In addition, they saw a danger for the diversity of wild varieties of aubergine that are found in India and feared an increasing dependency for the farmers. Several Indian States announced that they did not want to approve the Bt aubergine.

In contrast, the vast majority of the scientists and many authorities pointed out the positive results of the safety assessment and, furthermore, that the field trials with Bt aubergine had shown that 80% less pesticide was needed to treat the aubergine fruit borer. This is clearly good for the health of both the farmers and the consumers.

With an area of 600,000 hectares, India is, after China, the world's second largest producer of aubergines.

See also on GMO-Compass:

• GMO Food Database: Aubergine

Further information:

• India: Dispute on genetically modified aubergines (GMO safety)