New Delhi: After a Union minister vouched
for Bt brinjal, Congress today backed Environment Minister
Jairam Ramesh, who put a moratorium on commercial cultivation
of the genetically modified vegetable, saying more research is
needed before it could be concluded as a safe food.
Terming it a "very important issue", party spokesperson
Shakeel Ahmed said, "Government has taken a decision and
Jairam Ramesh has announced the government`s decision. We
stand by the decision. The health of people is paramount."
The party`s reaction assumes significance in the wake of
Union Science and Technology Minister Prithviraj Chavan on
Saturday putting his weight behind the genetically modified
vegetable, saying Bt brinjal is safe as per research and
emotions should be kept away from scientific merit.
The reaction is being seen as Congress distancing itself
from the statement of Chavan, who is also an AICC general
secretary.
Amid a raging debate over introduction of Bt brinjal,
Chavan had earlier said, "This whole exercise has been done in
nine years. Scientists have studied the whole structure
completely and are completely satisfied that Bt brinjal is
safe for human consumption...If you go by science, Bt brinjal
is safe."
His remarks had come four days after Ramesh announced
the moratorium on commercial cultivation of the genetically
modified vegetable.
PTI
