Conditional nod for BT cabbage trials

The genetic engineering approval committee (GEAC) of the ministry of
environment and forests, at its meeting last week, gave conditional consent for the field trials of genetically engineered cabbage hybrids developed by Mahyco provided the Supreme Court grants permission for the tests.

The GEAC, however, refused permission to test some more BT brinjal
hybrids as trials are already on for some of their hybrids.

The GEAC, which is facing strictures from the Supreme Court over
approvals granted for trials of transgenic crops and the safety of such
trials, had, in August, allowed large-scale trials of Mahyco's Bt
brinjal. The committee justified its approvals citing recommendations of an expert committee set up to look into bio-safety requirements.

The Supreme Court, in its order dated 22 September, 2006, had
specifically directed GEAC to "withhold approvals". The order had said : ``The prayer is for issue of directions to stop all field trials for all genetically modified products anywhere and everywhere with immediate effect besides certain other prayers.

"At this stage, without the stand of the respondents, we are not inclined to direct stoppage of field trials. At the same time, we deem it appropriate to direct the GEAC to withhold the approvals till further directions are issued by this Court on hearing all concerned."

The petitioner in the case, Aruna Rodrigues, has written to GEAC
questioning the recent approvals saying they were in violation of the
court order.