J. Ramesh, minister for Environment and Forest, said “when Bt-brinjal will be the very first genetically modified vegetable to be introduced anywhere in the world, there is no over-riding urgency to introduce it in India”.

Minister for Environment and Forest, decided to impose a moratorium on the release of Bt-brinjal, till such time independent scientific studies establish, to the satisfaction of both the public and professionals, the safety of the product from the point of view of its long-term impact on human health and environment, including the rich genetic wealth existing in brinjal in our country.