Philippine commercial propagation for the heavily-opposed Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) “talong” (eggplant), a homegrown genetically engineered (GE) crop, is now underway.
This, according to Desiree Hautea, country coordinator of the Bt Talong project, following the reversed decision of the Supreme Court last July 26 in its December 2015 ruling which temporarily banned the field testing, propagation, commercialization, and importation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
“We have brighter prospects now following the SC ruling, it’s a unanimous decision, I just hope that we respect the rule of law, we hope that very soon we can bring it (Bt Talong) to our farmers,” she said . . . July 27 at University of the Philippines Los Baños – Institute of Plant Breeding (UPLB-IPB).
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“We are eyeing to apply for commercial propagation, maybe first quarter of next year to the new body formed under the joint department circular (JDC) . . .” Hautea said.
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On an average the body will decide on the application within 100 days.
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