The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University’s project of developing a breed of seeds for brinjal is awaiting the approval of the Union government, Veerapandi S. Arumugam, Agriculture Minister, told the Assembly on Friday.
The University’s project related to raising the brinjal crop that would not rot or breed worms. It had been cleared by the Central government’s committee of experts.
Answering questions on the issue of genetically modified crops during Question Hour, the Minister said the government had not received reports on the adverse effects of the use of Bt cotton. Even in 1996, on the advice of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, trials were conducted by the University along with the firm manufacturing Bt cotton. At that time, no adverse effects were felt.
After the commercial release, there were instances of failure in some places and the company had attributed them to the nature of groundwater available.
Making it clear that the Central government, not the State government, was concerned with the commercial release of GM crops, the Minister said that if any crop adversely affected farmers, the government would take action. But, he was not rejecting advancements in science.
He also explained that the price of Bt cotton was reduced to Rs. 750 per kg after the issue was taken to the Supreme Court. Till then, it was Rs. 1,500.
