A proposal put forth by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) to conduct field trials of a new transgenic cotton seed has been rejected by three Indian states: Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana.
The seed, developed by Hyderabad-based Bioseed Research India, contains a gene called cry2ae, which is claimed to confer resistance to pink bollworm, a devastating pest that affects cotton crops. Although the seed had already gone through limited trials and a recommendation was received from GEAC for field trials at several places, these states refused permission for the trials.
In India, the approval process for transgenic seeds requires open field trials before they are cleared for commercial development by the GEAC. As agriculture is a subject governed by the states, companies wishing to test their seeds must obtain approval from the respective state governments. Of the four states where Bioseed had applied for permission, only Haryana gave approval for the trial.
In October 2022, the GEAC sent letters to all states requesting their views and comments on the proposed trials within a two-month deadline. Only Telangana responded within the stipulated period, seeking an extension of 45 days to consider the proposal. On May 16, 2023, Telangana conveyed its decision not to allow trials in the current cropping season. Gujarat also responded by saying that the proposal was unacceptable, but did not give any specific reasons.
The minutes of the GEAC meeting held on May 17 were made public last week and follow-up actions were highlighted. After the meeting, the regulator wrote to Telangana, Gujarat and Maharashtra seeking their response and reasons for rejection. In case no response is received within the specified time frame, the GEAC will make suitable recommendations based on the available information.
In addition, GEAC collaborated with the Department of Biotechnology and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to organize capacity building activities to educate state governments about genetically modified (GM) crops, the underlying technology and the regulatory framework for evaluating such crops. cooperation is requested. , The GEAC comprises experts in agriculture and plant genetics and is headed by a senior official from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, with a senior scientist from the Department of Biotechnology serving as co-chairman. However, activist groups have objected to the GEAC's request for reasons from states, considering it undue pressure on state governments.
Kavitha Kuruganti, a member of the GM Free India Alliance, expressed her concern about the approach of the GEAC. He questioned why the GEAC is pressurizing state governments like Telangana and Gujarat to give reasons or break their silence when they have refused to provide NOCs (No Objection Certificates). He further criticized the fact that GEAC, as a statutory regulator, is adopting a biased lobbying approach by engaging in activities with the State Governments to influence their decision making process. He highlighted that this approach contradicts the supposed neutrality of a regulatory body.
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