Fwd: Invitation for Bt Brinjal National Consultation in Chd: Jan 30th
Gaurav Sahai
From: Sharad Gaur, CEE <shara...@ceeindia.org>
Date: Thu, Jan 21, 2010 at 11:10 AM
Subject: Invitation for Bt Brinjal National Consultation
To: gsa...@gmail.com
INVITATION
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National Consultation on Bt Brinjal-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Background and Context
Bt Brinjal is a genetically modified brinjal created by inserting a gene [cry 1Ac] from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis into Brinjal. This is said to give the Brinjal plant resistance against insect pests like the Brinjal Fruit and Shoot Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) and Fruit Borer (Helicoverpa armigera). Bt Brinjal is being developed in India by M/s Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company Private Limited (Mahyco).
The Ministry of Environment & Forests has received strong views both in favour and against commercialization of Bt brinjal in India, from various stakeholders, including the State Governments, farmers, civil societies, NGOs and scientists. Hence the Ministry has decided to hold national consultations with the various stakeholders before a final view on the commercialization of Bt brinjal is taken. With this context, Ministry of Environment and Forests has commissioned Centre for Environment Education (CEE) to undertake public consultations across the country.
In this series, a Consultation is being held at Chandigarh, on 30th January 2010, from 1 pm to 4 pm. Registration will begin from 12 noon. Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State, Environment & Forests, will Chair the consultation. The venue is as follows:
Law Bhawan
Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana
Sector 37 A, Chandigarh
These consultations are open to all. We request you to participate and provide your valuable inputs. Please also inform concerned persons /organizations to participate, to ensure all interest groups are represented. Kindly mark a copy of your communications to me, for keeping our lists updated.
CEE will compile and collate the discussion held during the public consultations in a final report.
Some relevant reading material is uploaded on MoEF and CEE India websites, whose clickable links are given here.
We sincerely look forward to your inputs and active participation.
With best regards
Sharad Gaur
Regional
Director
CEE Delhi
C-40 South Extension Part 2
New Delhi -
110049
Tel: 9871182000