Lok Sabha Question No. 3170 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-05
Subject: Genetically Modified Crops
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR, BAIJAYANT "JAY" PANDA, SANKAR PRASAD DATTA, ANURAG SINGH THAKUR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3170

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.01.2018

## Genetically Modified Crops

3170. ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

SHRI BAIJAYANT JAY PANDA:

SHRI SANKAR PRASAD DATTA:

SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) The norms/guidelines regulating field trials of Genetically Modified (GM) crops along with the total number of GM crops under consideration of Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee indicating their present status of field trials and names of organizations/States involved therein, crop-wise including Mustard and Brinjal;
- (b) whether certain States/agencies/ experts have expressed their reservation over introduction and field trials of GM crops, if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto and the steps taken to address their objections/ concerns;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  found  any  evidence  against  GM  crops  in  terms  of destruction of local varieties therein and if so, the details thereof along with the details of scientific evidence relating to health hazards of such crops noticed so far; and
- (d) whether the Government is reviewing the regulatory framework for GM crops and if so, the details thereof along with the steps being taken to manage the prospects and effects relating to the cultivation of GM crops?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) Confined Field Trials (CFTs) of genetically modified crops are conducted in accordance with the 'Rules for the Manufacture / Use / Import/ Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms, Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells', 1989 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and 'Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures  for  CFTs  of  Genetically  Engineered  Plants',  2008,  developed  jointly  by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Department of Biotechnology.

Presently,  there  are  16  trials  of  genetically  modified  crops  under  consideration  of Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee for various stages of testing, namely, Event Selection  Trials  (ESTs),  Biosafety  Research  Level  (BRL)-  I  and  BRL-II.ESTs  on Chickpea, Pigeon pea, Rice, Sugarcane, Wheat, Cotton and Brinjal are being undertaken by ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Bioseed Research India Pvt.

Ltd, ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company  Pvt.  Ltd  and  Global  Transgenes  Ltd.BRL-I  trials  on  Maize,  Rubber  and Chickpea are being undertaken by Monsanto Holdings Pvt. Ltd, Pioneer Hi-Bred Pvt. Ltd,  Dow  Agro  Sciences  Pvt.  Ltd,  Rubber  Research  Institute  and  Sungro  Seeds Ltd.BRL-II trials on Cotton and Brinjal are being undertaken by Bayer Biosciences Pvt. Ltd, Dow Agro Sciences Pvt. Ltd and Beej Sheetal Pvt. Ltd

- (b) Some State Governments such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, West  Bengal,and some  experts have expressed their reservations over introduction and field trials of genetically modified crops. Towards enhancing awareness and capacity building on the matter, the Government organizes workshops  for  different  stakeholders  including  State  level  functionaries,  Customs, Plant  Quarantine  officials,  farmers  etc.,along  with  dissemination  of  knowledge products in various regional languages.
- (c) The Government has not received any adverse report regarding destruction of local varieties by or health hazards of genetically modified crops.
- (d) The Government has a well laid policy regarding genetically modified crops framed under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

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