Import of GM foods and GM oil allowed in India

New Delhi, May 25 (UNI) India, in principle, has allowed the import of GM soybean oil and GM food stuff freeing such imports from mandatory rules and restrictions.

However, for the time being till the existing Rules of 1989 and Enviroinment (Protection) Act 1986 are amended to that effect, import GM soybean oil from Argentina and Brazil would remain subjected to the furnishing of the certification from the exporting country vouchsafing about the product being derived from Round Ready Soyabean and analytical report on the composition of crude de-gummed Soybean oil.

"On an interim basis the GEAC approved the import of refined soybean oil subject to certification from the country of export that it has been derived from Roundup Ready Soybeans," The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee(GEAC) under the Ministry of Environment and Forests(MoEF) said here today.

"And, in case of crude degummed soybean oil, in addition to the certification, regarding it having been derived from Round up Ready Soyabean, the importer is also required to submit the analytical report from either CFTRI/NIN/Shri Ram Laboratories on the composition of crude-degummed Soybean oil both pre and post processing stage before a final view is taken. The test results should also include the pre and post refining levels of glyphosate in the oil as well as in the residue.

However, the GEAC clearance does not exempt the importers from the requirements under PFA", an official communication said.

The import rules for GM oils and GM food stuffs are being amended in light of the recommendation made by the Swaminathan Committee on Agricultural Biotechnology and Mashelkar Committee on r-Pharma. The MoEF has taken a policy decision that GEAC would be involved only in regulation of organisms or products where the end product is a LMO. Accordingly it is proposed to amend Rule 11 of rules 1989 through an inter-ministerial consultation. Subsequent to the amendment, processed food including oil will not attract the provision of Rule 11 of Rules 1989 of EPA.

So far, the manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous microorganisms /Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, are subjected to the Rules 1989 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 which prohibit production, sale and import of food stuffs, ingredients in food stuffs and additives including processing aids containing or consisting of genetically engineered organisms or cells, except with the approval of the GEAC.

The new import policy on GMOs/LMOs, by the Ministry of Commerce through DGFT mandates prior approval of GEAC for all GM products including food item. Therefore import of soybean oil (refined or de-gummed) derived from GM Soya would require the prior approval of GEAC.

UNI JSS ARB DB2010