DAVAO CITY – Lobby groups apprehensive over the ongoing tests on genetically modified (GM) eggplant were given assurance Tuesday, as the Department of Agriculture (DA) vowed that it would not allow the commercial release of the said crop once it is found dangeorus to human health in a series of tests they are conducting until next year.

The government is currently conducting tests on the GM eggplant for wet season in Visayas and Mindanao after successfully testing in some greenhouse sites – one in the University of the Philippines Los Baños-Institute of Plant Breeding and other areas in Luzon.

“I will not allow Bt eggplant to be consumed by humans as long as there [is] no answer from the test determining its safety to health,” Alcala said in an interview with the media at SM City Davao.

Alcala was in Davao City on Tuesday to attend the Third Kaniyogan Festival of the Philippine Coconut Authority and meet with different agencies attached to the DA.

Earlier, DA Undersecretary Joel S. Rudinas said the tests conducted are for the questions raised by groups who claimed the GM eggplants are toxic, citing the Indian government who recently imposed a ban on the commercial release of seeds in their country.

Alcala said the testing of eggplants would not contaminate the soil and jeopardize the existence of non-GM eggplants being cultivated in the country.

“It is an exaggeration,” Alcala said.

Let the courts probe DA
Meanwhile, Alcala said their agency is open for the Truth Commission to unearth evidence against officials who were allegedly involved in the P728-million fertilizer scam.

“We will provide them necessary papers whatever the Truth Commission wants us to give,” he said.