Visayas
State University (VSU), one of the approved testing
sites in the Philippines will continue with its planned
multi-location field trial for the fruit and shoot borer
resistant Bt eggplant.
In an article published January 15, 2011 in a local community
newspaper, Dr. Edgardo Tulin, vice president for planning
and research and head of the proposed field testing in the
university, said that they would have to comply with all
the requirements set by the Bureau
of Plant Industry.
"We need to consult all stakeholders in Baybay and
the surrounding communities of VSU. We have to follow procedures
and we are guided by the Bureau of Plant Industry,"
he added.
He also attested that activities have been conducted to
inform the public about Bt technology, a requirement in
the country's genetic modification (GM) regulatory process.
These activities include a briefing with Baybay, Leyte City
council, several seminars in the university, and the posting
of Public Information Sheets.
The original article may be found in http://leytesamardaily.net/2011/01/testing-of-bt-eggplant-at-vsu-to-push-through-says-official/.
For more information about Bt eggplant, visit SEARCA BIC's
website http://www.bic.searca.org,
or e-mail bic_at_agri.searca.org.(Jenny
A. Panopio and Sophia
M. Mercado)
