Thaindian News

Gandhinagar, Jan 19 (IANS) Union Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh Tuesday stressed the need to set up an autonomous bio-technology regulatory authority in the country.
“The need for an independent laboratory for independently conducting various tests required as a complimenting facility is also essential,” he told media persons in Ahmedabad at the third public hearing of the national consultation on Bt Brinjal.

Ramesh said that the authority could be patterned on the lines of the Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI).

“The country lacks such a regulatory body and I plan to recommend the setting up of such a body at the highest level in the government. But then it is an extended, time-consuming and fund guzzling process,” he admitted.

The minister, who is holding meetings with stake holders - farmers, scientists, NGOs - on Bt Brinjal has already conducted such meetings in Kolkata and Bhubaneshwar while meetings are scheduled in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Nagpur and Chandigarh by Feb 20.

“I can assure that no decision about Bt Brinjal production would be taken in haste, under pressure from the multinational companies dealing in its seeds,” he assured.

The countrywide public hearing on Bt Brinjal follows strong resistance from the farm sector and dissatisfaction over the inordinate speeed with which the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) moved in the matter, allegedly under pressure from the agriculture ministry and other bodies.

“An overall view with national interests in mind shall remain the prime concern and also all necessary precautionary measures needed will be factored in before allowing or disallowing Bt Brinjal production,” Ramesh said.

The state governments of West Bengal, Orissa and Bihar have already communicated to the union minister about their objections on Bt Brinjal.