June 25, 2007

 

India approves imported soyoils made from GM soybeans

 

 

The government of India on Friday (June 22) allowed import of soyoil manufactured from genetically modified round-up ready soybeans but rejected multi-locational trials of GMO food crops such as rice and potatoes.

 

"The Genetically Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has approved import of soybean oil obtained from round-up ready soybeans by members of the Solvent Extractors Association," the government said in a statement.

 

GEAC is the Indian government agency that regulates testing, cultivation and import of GMOs.

 

On April 7, 2006, the federal government released its annual foreign trade policy, which made it compulsory for all genetically modified imports to carry a "declaration" of their genetic status.

 

Under the policy, any imported food or feed product that contains GMO material will only be allowed in the country with the approval of the government's GEAC.

 

The edible oil industry expressed concern that the new policy could delay soyoil imports, which are mostly made from genetically modified soybeans. However, on May 5, a government notification put the policy in abeyance until July 7, 2006, and by another notification further extended the postponement to March 31, 2007.

 

On March 13 this year, the government again extended the postponement until December 31, 2007.

 

Finally, Friday in its meeting, GEAC gave its approval for import of the soyoil manufactured from genetically modified soybeans.

 

"A big hurdle in imports of soyoil has been cleared and the industry won't have to approach the government again and again for postponement of the policy on GMO products," said B.V. Mehta, executive director Solvent Extractors Association (SEA).

 

He said since the SEA represents the importers of edible oils in the country, each importer wouldn't have to individually seek permission from GEAC to import soyoil manufactured from GM soybeans.

 

"A single blanket clearance has been given to all importers based on data provided and declaration submitted by the SEA," said Mehta.

 

He said the GEAC is yet to spell out the detailed procedure that will be followed now for imports of soyoil made from GMO soybeans.

 

India is one of the largest importers of soyoil by volume. It imported 1.70 million tonnes crude soyoil in the marketing year to October 2006, according to the data collated by the SEA. Between November 2006 and May 2007 it has imported 430,492 tonnes crude soyoil.

 

The government statement said GEAC has also given its approval for multi-locational research trials, or MLRT, of new types of Bt cotton.

 

However, these Bt cotton hybrids should only express genes that have already been approved by GEAC, it said.

 

More than 100 types of Bt cotton hybrids are already grown in India. Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, cotton is the only genetically modified crop commercially grown in India.

 

No such approval was given during the meeting for MLRT of genetically modified food crops such as rice, okra, corn, brinjal and potato.

 

More information has been sought from the companies or institutions developing GMO food crops before permission for such trials is considered for approval by the GEAC.

 

"Companies developing GMO food crops are required to submit validated protocol for detection of contamination level up to 0.01%," said the statement.

 

It said these companies may get permission for MLRT of GMO food crops later, if they submit the data on contamination.