The Indian minister for the environment today imposed a six-month moratorium on the launch of a genetically modified variety of aubergine, known locally as brinjal, saying that further scientific research was needed before permission could be given for its commercial cultivation.

Jairam Ramesh said he had taken note of "tremendous opposition" from state governments within India, broad public resistance and the lack of a scientific consensus. "This would be the first GM vegetable crop anywhere in the world so I have been very sensitive and I have arrived at this decision which is responsible to science and responsible to society," he said tonight.

The decision was welcomed by campaigners. "It is an excellent precedent," said the Environment Support Group. "No minister before has ever subjected such an important decision to such public and scientific review."

Opponents had argued that the mass cultivation of the new variety – known as Bt Brinjal after the initials of the bacterium inserted into the plant to boost its resistance to insects – would damage the 2,000 or more existing types of aubergine grown in India. Many also raised concerns about potential human health hazards.

The involvement of the American multinational Monsanto – which part-owns the Indian company that developed the new strain – also stoked the argument over the potential costs and benefits of the new aubergine, with an alliance of left and rightwing politicians arguing that Indian sovereignty was under threat. Activists today hailed the decision as a "victory over American imperialism".

The Indian government found itself in a delicate position after a government panel last year supported the introduction of Bt Brinjal, even though most of the major states in which the 8m-tonne annual aubergine crop in India is grown had said that they would not permit it. The six-month delay for further research is a useful way for Ramesh, a rising reformist minister who played a crucial role in brokering a political accord at the Copenhagen conference on global warming, to sidestep a difficult political battle and to avoid a public row with other ministers who support the launch of Bt Brinjal.

Lobbyists for GM foods were disappointed. "It is unfortunate that India's 1.4 million farmers will not yet be able to enjoy the benefits of biotech brinjal," said Denise Dewar of Croplife, the global industry association for plant biotechnology, which includes Monsanto among its members. "As a staple crop, biotech brinjal could also benefit millions of Indian consumers, who would have improved product quality and greater choice in the marketplace."

India allowed the use of genetically modified seeds for cotton in 2002 after trials found it needed 70% less pesticide and gave 87% more crop than traditional plants. It is now grown in 39% of India's cotton area.

(The Guardian, 09/02/2010)