Chief minister Oommen Chandy has asked food safety officials to take stern steps to control sale of fruits and vegetables that are high in pesticide content.

Gujarat has joined 10 other states in saying no to field trials of genetically modified (GM) food crops.

The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) and the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM), two Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-inspired organisations, on Saturday criticised the Union environment ministry’s approval

Environment Ministry today clarified that it has given no approval for field trials of certain varieties of Genetically Modified (GM) crops.

At least 13 varieties are slated for GEAC nod after a long while but states have to also agree; biotech sector waits eagerly

Even as the government prepares to give a final nod to field trials for at least 13 crop varieties in the next meeting of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), on March 21, the road ahead for genetically modified (GM) varieties is still bumpy.

Authorities in Bangladesh have released the country’s first ever genetically modified crop to farmers amid criticism from environmental groups, officials said on Friday.

Following three years of research, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) has identified core genes which would help in development of new varieties of wheat, rice and vegetables which would withstand climatic variations.

These varieties, identified from the four lakh accessions held with NBPGR or the national gene bank, would help deal with variations in temperatures, rainfall and alternations in climate conditions witnessed during the last few years.

Vikhe Patil wanted a public hearing to be held before clearing the trials

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan overruled reservations expressed by the State’s Agriculture Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil in clearing no objection certificates (NOC) for “confined” field trials of genetically modified crops in the state, The Hindu has learnt.

DIGEST THIS: Survey Shows Fruit, Veggies Are High On Chemical Content

Bangalore: Probably it’s time to take a closer look at what’s on your platter. Cypermethrin, heptachlor, quinalphos, aldrin, chlorodane, dichlorvas, cypermethrin — these banned pesticides could well be a part of your regular diet. Okras, leafy green cabbages and other vegetables, bananas or oranges and apples that you so relish may be overloaded with some of these harmful pesticides.