Multan, Pakistan
December 6, 2005
Minister Shaukat Aziz has said
government would allow farmers to grow BT cotton next year.
Talking to a delegation of farmers
on Monday, Shaukat Aziz assured them that the government would
ensure the protection of farmers’ interests.
This move by Minister Shaukat Aziz confirms Pakistan's policy of
being open to genetically modified crops, where there is an
added value for its farmers.
Pakistan is also looking to develop its own GM crops. At the
University of the Punjab, field trials of Bt basmati rice were
successfully carried out this year. The enhanced basmati rice
was showed full resistance to yellow stem borer and rice leaf
folder. In addition, studies are also being carried out with
cotton and mangoes.
Pakistan's National Biosafety Committee is in charge of ensuring
that risk assessment is carried out in accordance with the
biosafety guidelines for all activities that alter plants to
produce novel products, solve environmental problems and treat
genetic disorders.
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