GEAC clears way for wider genetically modified crop trials

NEW DELHI: After a gap of one year, the statutory body for approving genetically modified crops, the Genetic Engineering Advisory Committee (GEAC), met on Friday. No new proposals for genetically modified crops were taken up, instead the committee re-validated 10 proposals for wider field trials for genetically modified maize, wheat, rice and cotton in upcoming rabi season.

These proposals had been cleared for limited field trials in 2011-12, but clearance for larger trials were pending as the committee had not met. The decision will allow Mayhco, BASF India and Mosanto India to go ahead with wider or phase II field trials for these genetically modified crops. Phase II trials will mean that the crops can be grown in larger areas.

Sources said that the committee is likely to take up new cases when it meets next on April 25. At that time it is expected to take up as many as 70 proposals, which expected to include a wider variety of food crops.

The floodgates for trials for genetically modified food crops were opened in late February, when environment minister Veerappa Moily cleared field trials for genetically modified rice, wheat, maize and castor. These proposals had been recommended for clearance by the GEAC in March 2013. These recommendations had been put on hold by the then environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan on the grounds that the Supreme Court was hearing a public interest litigation opposing field trials for GM crops in the absence of an effective and independent regulator.

Moily had made it clear that there was no reason why the GEAC could not consider and allow field trials for GM food crops as the Supreme Court had at no point asked the government to hold back on taking decisions.

The Technical Expert Committee appointed by the court had recommended a moratorium on all field trials till an effective and independent regulator is put in place. The Supreme Court is expected to continue hearings on the public interest litigation later this month. This committee, sources indicated, has chosen to wait for the court’s order before it takes up fresh proposals for GM food crops, so as to avoid further controversy.