MANILA -- Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño called for the immediate suspension of ongoing field tests of Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) eggplant due to possible hazards on human health and the environment.

Casiño also said that the procedure violates a recently passed law on organic agriculture.

In filing House Resolution 237, Casiño asked the Committee and Agriculture and Food to immediately probe the Bt eggplant testing in view of its being illegal and the uncalculated risk by government agencies that endorsed its field trials and possible commercial lease.

Bt eggplant is now being field-tested in seven sites in the Philippines namely: Sta. Maria, Pangasinan; Bae, Laguna; Pili, Camarines Sur; Baybay, Leyte; Sta. Barbara, Iloilo; UP Mindanao, Davao City; and Kabacan, North Cotabato by Maharastra Hybrid Seeds Company Ltd (Mahyco) and is allegedly intended for commercial release in 2011. Mahyco is affiliated with Monsanto, a US-based biotech company which introduced the controversial Bt corn in the country.

"I call on the government proponents of Bt eggplant to stop all these tests as these are illegal at the least and can give rise to agricultural and health anomalies in the near future. It is best to have our eggplants all natural and safe. I also have this to say to foreign biotech companies: don't touch my talong," Casiño said. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)