India rejects U.S. consignment of genetically modified soya-corn blend

Tuesday, 07 January 2003, 20:30 IST   |    1 Comments
Printer Print Email Email
NEW DELHI: India has rejected a large consignment of soya-corn blend imported by local subsidiaries of two leading U.S.-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.
Source: IANS