India has put back the release of what could have been the first-ever genetically modified (GM) vegetable crop amid protests and safety concerns.
The Asian country has been running field trials on the world’s first GM aubergine since 2008 and received approval from government scientists in 2009.
But environment minister Jairam Ramesh said more studies were needed to ensure the product was safe for consumers and the environment.
The minister said "independent scientific studies" were needed on BT brinjal aubergine to establish "the safety of the product from the point of view of its long-term impact on human health and environment".
India is the largest producer of aubergines in the world and grows more than 4,000 varieties.
The product has been created by the Indian seed company Mahyco, a partner of the world’s biggest GM seed company, Monsanto. Mahyco has said the product has been grown for its resistance to natural pests.
But anti-GM groups say there are serious health concerns and allege that consumption of GM crops can even cause cancer. There have been a number of demonstrations against the product from farmers and anti-GM activists, prompting Ramesh to hold a national consultation on the issue.
The BT brinjal has already found opposition in several of the aubergine-growing states in India and the use of GM seeds has been the subject of much conversation since India began using GM cotton seeds in 2002.
The government-controlled Genetic Engineering Approval Committee approved BT brinjal for commercial cultivation in October 2009.
