India delays GM vegetable start for further tests

NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – India has postponed the launch  of its first genetically modified (GM) vegetable, saying it  would adopt a cautious approach and wait for more scientific  studies on the impact of the new variety of eggplant.

The decision contrasted to China, which last year approved  the pest resistant strain of genetically modified rice and  phytase corn as safe, and wants to speed up the  commercialisation of some GM strains to address potential food  shortages.

New Delhi’s stance could come as a blow to seed producers  such as Monsanto Co looking to enter India’s huge market in GM  food crops and where the company has substantial investment,  including for research and development.

“The moratorium will be in place until all tests are carried  out to the satisfaction of everyone … If that means no start  of production, so be it,” Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh  told reporters on Tuesday.

Until the tests are done, India should build a broad  consensus to use GM technology in agriculture in a safe and  sustainable manner, he said.

Ramesh said though some countries cultivated GM foods, that  was not a good enough reason for India to follow suit.

The decision is seen as boosting the Congress party among  its main farming vote base, much of which is fearful of GM use,  and comes despite pressure from Farm Minister Sharad Pawar who  supported introducing the modified “BT Brinjal”, or eggplant.

It also signals Congress’s leading position within the  ruling coalition made up of difficult allies such as Pawar’s  Nationalist Congress Party. The Congress and Pawar, who also  controls the food portfolio, are involved in a blame game over  rising food prices.
“The government has been sensitive to public opinion and  they have defused an upsurge among its farmer voters by this  decision. It has more to do with politics, not any scientific  reason,” political commentator Amulya Ganguli said.

Ramesh conducted public debates across the country to test  the support for GM foodcrop. Most of these meetings saw strident  opposition to the idea. Most non-Congress-ruled state  governments, including major eggplant-growing areas, were  opposed.

“They killed three birds with one shot. They have defused  the public sentiment against them, number two is the political  opposition was neutralised and three they prevailed over Sharad  Pawar,” said N. Bhaskara Rao of the Centre for Media Studies.

A government panel last year supported introduction of  genetically modified eggplant, but the government said it would  consult experts and farmers before accepting the  recommendations.

“It is my duty to adopt a cautious, precautionary,  principle-based approach,” Ramesh said.

Ramesh said fears of the safety of the crop stemmed in part  from a negative public perception of Monsanto, which owns 26  percent of the Indian company Mahyco, involved in the  development of the modified eggplant.