Union Agriculture Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday asserted that genetically-modified seeds and food would not be allowed into the country till their safety was scientifically proved.
“There is a lot of apprehension in the country about genetically-modified seeds and food. We cannot allow import of things which are not acceptable to the people. Let health and environmental scientists decide how safe those are,” Kumar said while inaugurating the Regional Plant Quarantine Centre (RPQC) at salt lake near Calcutta.
Stating that the Centre had decided not to allow entry of 'terminator' seeds into the country, he said while India aimed at becoming a superpower in bio-technology, the concerns of the people must also be addressed.

Warning that there had been a 'globalisation of pests,' he called upon RPQC scientists to remain vigilant to check the entry of harmful exotic pests and germs into the country's agricultural produce.

The Rs 4.14 crore RPQC, the third after those in Chennai and New Delhi, has been implemented by the union agriculture ministry with funds from UNDP and constancy from the FAO.

Provided with latest equipment, it would serve quarantine inspection purposes for export and import of plants and seeds in West Bengal, besides the eastern and northeastern states.

Bureau Report