In an inter-ministerial meeting currently underway, the genetic engineering approval committee (GEAC) will consider the approval of large-scale field trial of BT Cotton in India, based on the results of the allegedly illegal controlled field studies done by Mahyco, a subsidiary of US multinational Monsanto.

In a petition sent to the GEAC Greenpeace said ``the existing body of evidence against genetically modified crops and India's commitment to implementing the precautionary principle necessitate the rejection of Mahyco's application for large-scale field trials of BT COTTON in India.''The introduction of BT Cotton will lead to the wanton destruction of the world's most important naturally occurring biological pesticide - bacillus thurigensis or BT- besides causing genetic pollution that will have long-term irreversible impact on the environment and agriculture, Greenpeace said.

Studies have indicated that the dissemination of transgenic BT plants will lead to the development of BT(multiple) resistance in major pests within a relatively short period of time. Moreover, the planting of transgenic BT plants will lead to the transfer of BT traits to non-target plants and wild relatives. Transgenic BT plants may also have a negative impact on non-target organisms.

``Before granting any kind of approval for transgenic BT plants, the Indian government and the GEAC should convince themselves and the members of public that they have evidence to counter the basis on which European nations have rejected BT Cotton,'' said Isabelle Meister, GE campaigner with Greenpeace.

``In a predominantly agrarian economy such as India, it is imperative that decisions that have wide-ranging implications on the agricultural security of a nation are not taken hurriedly and done after full public debate and understanding of the issue.

The way in which BT Cotton is sought to be pushed through in India does not bode well for the country,'' said Michelle Chawla, Greenpeace' GE campaigner in India.