India rejects US consignment of genetically modified soya-corn blend

[Guest guest]

India rejects US consignment of genetically modified soya-corn blend

 

IANS

 

NEW DELHI: India has rejected a large consignment of soya-corn blend

imported by local subsidiaries of two leading US-based NGOs as a

precaution against presence of any harmful genetically modified (GM)

produce.

 

The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), set up under the

ministry of forest and environment, had last month rejected a 1,000

tonne U.S. shipment of blended soya-corn meal for lacking clear

certification on the source of the produce.

 

The GEAC was set up to study introduction of genetically modified

produce both for commercial cultivation and consumption in the

country.

 

"We had taken a cautious view as some of the genetically modified

produce like StarLink corn, used only for animal feed and which has

since been abandoned in the U.S, are suspected to cause allergy," a

senior ministry official told IANS.

 

The two NGOs are CARE International and CRS (Catholic Relief

Services). "While the two NGOs have confirmed the presence of both

non-genetically modified and genetically modified produce in the soya-

corn blend, they are yet to certify whether it contains any of the

produce suspected to cause allergy," the official said.

 

According to the environment ministry, the two NGOs have appealed to

the National Environment Appellate Authority against India's

rejection of the consignment.

 

India has earlier allowed the two NGOs to import refined soya oil and

crude degummed soya oil after conducting thorough DNA and protein

tests for presence of any genes harmful to health.

 

"After processing both the oils, no such presence was found and the

consignments were cleared. But in the present case, we are still

waiting for a certification as the last shipment is not an oil but a

soya-corn blend which is to be used for making food consumed by poor

children," said the official.

 

With the NGOs having filed an appeal with the appellate body, the

GEAC has been asked to submit its reply by January 12. A decision is

likely to be taken towards the end of the month, the official said.

 

While India has so far given clearance to three varieties of

genetically modified cotton for commercial cultivation, the

apprehensions of a section of scientists and environmentalists has

stalled the clearance of GM mustard for commercial cultivation.

 

The clearance has been denied on the grounds that unlike cotton,

mustard is used in a variety of ways in common man's diet.