All commercial propagation of golden rice and Bt eggplant must be stopped until they are proven safe

There’s welcome news from the Philippines relating to the court case on GM golden rice and Bt brinjal (eggplant). The Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the applicants – farmer/scientist group MASIPAG and others – and against the Philippine Government’s actions that granted permits for the commercial propagation of Bt brinjal and golden rice.

The respondents (the Philippines Government) can appeal against this decision, but it is a significant victory for farmers, the environment, and people’s health. The judges’ decision to uphold the precautionary principle and to insist on proper risk assessment procedures to be in place and to be carried out gives a clear signal against any deregulation measures.