In yet another controversy over the trials of Genetically Modified crops, the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture has leveled serious charges against Genetic Engineering Approval Committee for allowing large-scale field trials of Bt Brinjal.

The CSA said GEAC has violated its own rules while allowing large-scale trials of Bt Brinjal.

The GEAC rules stated that large-scale trials would not be allowed unless the complete bio-safety data was generated, CSA said.

Bt Brinjal clearly does not fall in this category as there have been numerous questions on its bio-safety, the protocols of tests conducted or commissioned by Mahyco, the data analysis and conclusions drawn, CSA added.

Commenting on GEAC's decision to allow large-scale trials in Bt Brinjal, CSA said in fact, some of the prescribed tests like foliar feeding studies, which have been mandated after reports of animal mortality and morbidity after open grazing on Bt Cotton fields in Andhra Pradesh, had not been completed on Bt Brinjal.