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| Karnataka to impose ban on Bt Brinjal
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Bangalore, Feb 8 /--/ Karnataka horticulture minister Umesh Katti today said that the state government would enforce ban on the commercial cultivation of Bt Brinjal in the state.
"We will ban commercial cultivation of Bt Brinjal. We have already written to the Centre seeking its deferment," horticulture minister Umesh Katti told PTI.
Environment minister Jairam Ramesh has already said that the Centre would announce its decision on commercial production of the genetically modified crop on February 10. Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has already conveyed to the Centre that its commercial release should be deferred till the issue was thoroughly examined. It should take into account the views of all stakeholders and conduct a long-term research for the Bt crop's bio-safety and its consequent contributions to food security and farmers' well-being, Mr Yeddyurappa had said.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat argued strongly against Bt Brinjal on Sunday and sought its categorical rejection. He termed the crop as videshi (foreign) and sought to equate it with the problem of infiltration of people from across the border. In Karnataka, brinjal is grown in about 15,000 hectares with annual production of about 3.6 lakh tons.
Speaking to reporters in Shimoga, Mr Yeddyurappa reiterated his government's opposition to BT Brinjal and said it would provide the necessary help to rejuvenate a number of local verities which had been accepted by the people.
"The national agricultural policy must protect local culture and not harm the indigenous systems", he said. (PTI)
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