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State government approval clause in GM crops' GEAC guidelines to be revoked
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Friday, 29 July, 2011, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Irum Khan, Mumbai
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Respite is likely to come to those looking to initiate trials in genetically-modified (GM) crops as an important clause requiring state approval for conducting GM trials is likely to be revoked.
This was confirmed by a source from the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), the apex body constituted in the ministry of environment and forests focussing on manufacture, use, import, export and storage of hazardous microorganisms / genetically-engineered organisms or cells, under the Environment Protection Act,1986. The source said that the decision to revoke the clause was a recent one.
Groups like ABLE-AG (Association of Biotech Led Enterprises-Agriculture Group) have been opposing this clause in the upcoming GEAC guidelines, which makes it mandatory to seek prior permission from the states for trial of GM crops.
According to the Group, it was a detrimental clause, which was likely to delay the process of adoption of the GM technology in the country to multiply yield of food grain crops.
Interestingly, Bihar and Karnataka had recently forced winding up trial of Bt maize by an international seed company on this ground.
Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa and Kerala were some of the states which opposed this new technology whereas, states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Haryana were favourably inclined towards GM crops.
Overall, field trials of 10 GM crops are in the pipeline in different parts of the country, according to media reports.
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