GM mustard issue not discussed at GEAC meet

Biotech regulator Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) today met but did not discuss the contentious issue of commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) mustard as officials termed it as a "routine meeting".
A top Environment Ministry official said other issues related to the GEAC were discussed but no deliberations on GM crops were done as the sub-committee examining the suggestions made by various stakeholders had not submitted its report as yet.
"The GEAC did meet today but it was a routine meeting. We did not have discussions on the GM crop issue as the sub- committee which is looking into the suggestions received from stakeholders has not yet submitted its report. We discussed other routine aspects of the GEAC," a top Environment Ministry official told PTI.

GEAC, under the Environment Ministry, invited comments for the proposal on the authorisation of an environmental release of genetically engineered mustard on September 6.
The regulator had constituted a sub-committee of scientific experts to examine the biosafety data on GM mustard.
The report was then placed on the Environment Ministry's website, inviting comments from stakeholders within a period of 30 days before the biotech regulator took a decision. The comments which were received were again sent to the committee for assessment which is presently doing so.
Meanwhile, anti-GM activists said the lack of biosafety data in public domain has been a big hindrance to meaningful scientific engagement with GEAC's assessment of GM mustard need and safety for independent experts.

"We hope the upcoming court hearing will resolve these firmly. India doesn't need more chemicalisation of its agriculture and displacement of livelihoods by introducing herbicide tolerant crops," said Kavitha Kuruganti of ASHA-Kisan Swaraj.