'Halt approval of Golden Rice, Bt Brinjal'

Sixteen prominent citizens have called for the withdrawal of commercial approval of Bt Brinjal (genetically modified) and a halt to the approval process of Golden Rice.

Letters were sent in this regard to key government officials highlighting concerns over the safety and benefits of genetically modified crops.

The letters were addressed to the secretaries to the agriculture and environment ministries, director general of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council and Bangladesh Rice Research Institute.

In their letter, they said the government approved Bt Brinjal despite concerns from civil society and several government agencies. India and the Philippines, which also tested Bt Brinjal, have not approved its commercial use, citing safety concerns.

Indian lawmakers said that genetically modified crops benefit companies more than general public and farmers, according to the letter.

The letter also criticised the agriculture ministry's enthusiasm for the approval of Bt Brinjal.

Bangladesh, known for its diverse rice and brinjal varieties, risks harming its agricultural heritage by adopting patented seeds, the letter said.

The citizens urged the government to focus on natural pest control methods instead of genetically modified crops.

The civil society representatives highlighted the need to withdraw any existing approvals for genetically modified crops and to refrain from granting new ones to protect the country's agricultural interests.

The signatories of the letters include rights activist Sultana Kamal, Nijera Kori Coordinator Khushi Kabir, Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman, Policy Research for Development Alternative Executive Director Farida Akhter, Association for Land Reform and Development Executive Director Shamsul Huda, and Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association Chief Executive Syeda Rizwana Hasan.