The city government stopped the entry of genetically modified eggplants for possible violations of the city’s code on sustainable agriculture.
Eggplants modified with the genes of the soil bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) were to be grown in test conditions at the University of the Philippines Mindanao campus here.
Leo Avila, head of the city agriculture office, said the testing would be done in an open area, which could contaminate other plants.
“It can be allowed if research activities are done in a very restricted environment,” Avila said.
Mayor Sara Duterte recently wrote UP Mindanao Chancellor Gilda Rivero, asking her to put a halt to the testing.
She cited the city ordinance on sustainable agriculture, among other reasons.
© 2010 Argentine Beef Packers
