Monsanto yet to get clearance for hybridisation of onion

Monsanto Holdings is yet to get clearance for using two varieties of Indian onion for hybridisation, Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said today.

"Yes, Monsanto Holdings, Mumbai has submitted an application" to the National Biodiversity Authority ( NBA) to use two varieties of Indian onion for potential hybridisation, Natarajan informed Rajya Sabha.

In a written reply, she said the application was submitted on June 28 but the "clearance has not been given as yet."

Asked whether any consultations have been held with the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, she said the "relevance of the committee does not arise in this case, since the applicant is not seeking permission from the NBA for large scale field trials or commercialisation.