Lok Sabha Question No. 90 (STARRED), answered on 2016-11-22
Subject: GM Mustard
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: SANTOSH AHLAWAT, PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 90

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.11.2016

## GM Mustard

## *90. SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT: DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

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

- (a) the  status  of  field  trials  and  commercial  cultivation  of  Genetically  Modified  (GM) mustard in the country;
- (b) whether commercial cultivation of GM mustard is being opposed by various quarters in  the  country  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons  therefor  along  with  the efforts made to address the concerns raised in this regard;
- (c) whether the  Government  has  held  any  consultation  with  the  stakeholders  including experts and farmers in this regard and if so, the details and outcome thereof;
- (d) whether the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) or its subCommittee has  made  scientific  assessment  on  the  safety  aspect  of  GM  mustard  and  if  so,  the details and findings thereof; and
- (e) the  steps  being  taken  to  ensure  that  scientific  evidence  and  larger  interests  of consumers and farmers are taken into consideration while deciding the commercial cultivation of GM mustard in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

- (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.  90  TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  22.11.2016  REGARDING  GM  MUSTARD  BY SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT & DR. P. VENUGOPAL.

(a) At  present  no  field  trials  are  underway  for  GE  Mustard.  The  Centre  for  Genetic Manipulation and Crop Plants (CGMCP), University of Delhi South Campus has submitted application  for  environmental  release  of  GE  Mustard  which  has  undergone  bio  safety assessments for necessary examination  by Genetic  Engineering  Appraisal  Committee (GEAC).

(b) & (c) Some concerns and apprehensions have been raised by a group of Non Government Organisations(NGOs) on the biosafety of GE Mustard. To understand the concerns of NGOs, GEAC provided an opportunity to two groups of NGOs to share their concerns during the 129 th GEAC meeting held on June 20, 2016. Another meeting was held on July 18, 2016 to hear the concerns of a group of NGOs, who could not present their views during 129 th  GEAC due to paucity of time.

(d) & (e) All genetically engineered products are assessed through various statutory bodies for food and environmental safety in accordance with Rules for the manufacture, use/import/export and storage of hazardous microorganisms/ genetically engineered organisms or cells 1989 (Rules 1989) made under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. As per Rules 1989, a step by step process for assessment of food and environmental safety is being  followed  and  the  application  for  commercial  cultivation  of  GE  Mustard  is  under examination by GEAC.

GEAC  in  its  126 th meeting  held  on  04.01.2016  reviewed  the  application  submitted  by CGMCP, Delhi University  South  Campus  and  constituted  a  Sub-Committee  to  review  the dossier. Accordingly, the Sub-Committee prepared an Assessment of Food and Environmental Safety (AFES) document and submitted to GEAC for its evaluation.

The AFES document prepared by Sub-Committee on GE Mustard was placed on the website of Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC)for a period of 30 days from  September  05,  2016  to  October  05,  2016  for  inviting  public  comments  from stakeholders. Entire dossier submitted by CGMCP, University of Delhi South Campus was also  made  available  for  review  by  public  during  the  consultation  period.    A  total  of  759 comments have been received from the various stakeholders and 29 people in person have reviewed the dossier.

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