Bt Brinjal: Public Action & Documentation

Events

1st April 2010: A workshop was held by ESG and Action Aid to help farmers appreciate the nuances of the debates that resulted in India’s Environment and Forests Minister Shri Jairam Ramesh enforcing a moratorium on the commercial release of Bt Brinjal. Read more.

6th February 2010: Public Consultation held by Jairam Ramesh. View the subsequent brief report and earlier background note on the consultation. Download flyer.

Documentation

• Letters to Public Officials
  • Letter from Jairam Ramesh to Sharad Pawar on genetically modified organisms, 21 January 2010.
  • An enquiry into certain legal issues relating to the approval of Bt Brinjal by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, Submission made to Shri. Jairam Ramesh in the Public Consultation on GEAC approval to Bt Brinjal, 6 February 2010.
• FAQ on How Biological Diversity Act applies to the approval of Bt Brinjal (GMO) in India
• 10 Reasons Why We Don’t Need GM Foods, From www.banGMfood.org.
• The Biological Diversity Bill, 2002, As passed by the Lok Sabha on 2nd December, 2002 and by the Rajya Sabha on 11th December 2002. Bill No. 93-C of 2000.

Press Releases

• February 10, 2010: Environment Minister’s Decision on Bt Brinjal Welcome, Scientifically Sound, but Sketchy and Legally Weak.
• January 21, 2010: Jairam Ramesh rebuts Sharad Pawar’s stand Centre has no role in reviewing GEAC decision on Bt Brinjal, Reasserts right to hold Public Consultations on Bt Brinjal issue.