GM Mustard: SC Split Verdict, Seed Industry Welcomes
By Rediff Money Desk, New Delhi Jul 25, 2024 18:37
The Supreme Court gave a split verdict on the environmental release of GM mustard. The seed industry welcomes the decision, highlighting the potential benefits of GM crops for India.
New Delhi, Jul 25 (PTI) Seed industry body FSII on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court's split verdict on the validity of the Centre's 2022 decision, granting conditional approval for environmental release of genetically modified (GM) mustard crops.
On July 23, the apex court unanimously directed that the Centre needs to formulate a national policy with regard to GM crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce in the country.
A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Sanjay Karol gave divergent opinions on the validity of the two decisions and directed the matter to be listed before the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud for adjudication by an appropriate bench.
Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) Chairman Ajai Rana said, "We are glad that Hon'ble Justice Karol has supported the working of the regulatory body GEAC and found its working as per rules. The industry has always maintained that we must trust our regulators and support their decisions. GEAC is a scientific body, and their assessments are of high quality".
"GMOs are tested stringently, and India's regulatory bodies and research institutions adhere to the highest international norms and practices for evaluating the safety and efficacy of biotech crops," Rana asserted.
GM mustard can ensure 'atmanirbharta' in oil seeds, a major focus of the Indian government, and also promote farmer prosperity through increased productivity, he said in a statement.
According to FSII, a critical point of contention for setting aside the GEAC's permission is the use of foreign data in the application.
"Critics argue that the GEAC approved the trait without relying on indigenous studies on the effects of GM Mustard in India and its potential environmental ramifications. Industry experts counter that Indian agencies have been integral to all biosafety studies," it added.
On July 23, the apex court unanimously directed that the Centre needs to formulate a national policy with regard to GM crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce in the country.
A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Sanjay Karol gave divergent opinions on the validity of the two decisions and directed the matter to be listed before the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud for adjudication by an appropriate bench.
Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) Chairman Ajai Rana said, "We are glad that Hon'ble Justice Karol has supported the working of the regulatory body GEAC and found its working as per rules. The industry has always maintained that we must trust our regulators and support their decisions. GEAC is a scientific body, and their assessments are of high quality".
"GMOs are tested stringently, and India's regulatory bodies and research institutions adhere to the highest international norms and practices for evaluating the safety and efficacy of biotech crops," Rana asserted.
GM mustard can ensure 'atmanirbharta' in oil seeds, a major focus of the Indian government, and also promote farmer prosperity through increased productivity, he said in a statement.
According to FSII, a critical point of contention for setting aside the GEAC's permission is the use of foreign data in the application.
"Critics argue that the GEAC approved the trait without relying on indigenous studies on the effects of GM Mustard in India and its potential environmental ramifications. Industry experts counter that Indian agencies have been integral to all biosafety studies," it added.
Source: PTI
Read More On:
DISCLAIMER - This article is from a syndicated feed. The original source is responsible for accuracy, views & content ownership. Views expressed may not reflect those of rediff.com India Limited.
You May Like To Read
TODAY'S MOST TRADED COMPANIES
- Company Name
- Price
- Volume
- GTL Infrastructure
- 3.03 ( -4.72)
- 257562976
- Vodafone Idea L
- 15.98 (+ 5.13)
- 59384877
- Khoobsurat
- 1.87 (+ 4.47)
- 53564105
- Srestha Finvest
- 2.41 ( -1.23)
- 34967793
- NCL Research
- 1.01 ( -1.94)
- 27741245
MORE NEWS
ESAF Small Finance Bank Q1 Profit Down 52% to...
ESAF Small Finance Bank reported a 52% decline in Q1 net profit to Rs 63 crore due to...
KingsCraft Aims for Rs 50 Cr Revenue from...
KingsCraft Online Brands, a Pune-based company, aims to achieve Rs 50 crore revenue...
Govt Provides Rs 37,000cr Fertiliser Subsidy in...
Indian government has provided Rs 37,000 crore fertiliser subsidy till July 22, 2024-25...