Does GM mustard harm honey bees? GEAC orders more field trials of crop

The approval was put on hold pending formal clearance from the minister who wanted further tests to settle the issue

Breaking a near year-long deadlock, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has called for ‘field demonstrations’ of GM mustard in an area of 5 acres at two or three different locations. The panel is concerned about the possible impact the crop could have on honey bees and seeks additional data on these and other pollinators, and also on soil microbial diversity.

The applicants have also been directed to submit a detailed protocol for conducting the demonstrations, steps which have been roundly questioned by civil society activists on the grounds that data generated from improper tests would be ‘inadequate’ and ‘objectionable’. 

The GEAC