Commercial release of GM mustard okayed

In a major push towards the use of genetically modified (GM) crops, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, the regulator for GM crops, on Thursday recommended commercial use of GM mustard in a submission made to the environment ministry.

In a major push towards the use of genetically modified (GM) crops, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), the regulator for GM crops, on Thursday recommended commercial use of GM mustard in a submission made to the environment ministry.

If approved by the ministry, mustard would be the first genetically modified direct food crop to be commercially launched in India, after the failed attempts with Bt brinjal. GM cotton is the only crop that has been allowed in India so far.

GEAC, under the environment ministry, reviewed a report of a sub-committee constituted to look at the safety angle. It has put conditions to the ministry while recommending its commercial use.

“The agenda of GM mustard came up in a meeting of GEAC today (Thursday). It has given a positive recommendation,” the official told PTI.

The Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants, Delhi University South Campus, had submitted an application to GEAC for the environmental release of GM mustard (Brassica juncea) hybrid DMH-11 and the use of parental events (varuna bn 3.6 and EH2 mod bs 2.99) for the development of a new generation of hybrids.

The ministry had received over 700 comments from various stakeholders, including farmers and researchers, on the Assessment of Food and Environmental Safety report on the crop. The application was submitted in 2015 after which several rounds of meeting were held by GEAC. The sub-committee also convened meetings with experts.

GEAC also heard the views of various non-government organisations not in favour of giving an approval to GM crops.

RSS-affiliate, Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), slammed GEAC for recommending commercial release of GM mustard on grounds that it won’t lead to higher productivity.

“We are against the commercial use of any genetically modified crops, including GM mustard. And we will request that the government should not allow its commercial cultivation,” SJM co-convener Ashwani Mahajan said.

The productivity of existing desi varieties are higher than this newly-developed GM mustard, Mahajan said, adding GM mustard will impact allied sectors such as beekeepers, orchards and ayurvedic medicine makers and practitioners.

Environment activist Vandana Shiva had opposed GM mustard, saying it was “illegal” and developers have done “fraud science”.