No import nod for GM processed food items till March 2014.

NEW DELHI: The Union environment ministry has issued an order keeping in abeyance the controversial August, 2007 notification, which allows import of genetically modified (GM) processed food items into India without its prior permission, till March 31, 2014.

Though the ministry has continuously been keeping the notification in abeyance since February 2008, this time it has opted for a shorter period — usually it used to be a year — expecting the Supreme Court's final view on the contentious issue of genetically modified organisms before March.

At present, any genetically engineered organism can be imported — either for research or for restricted lab trial — only after prior permission of the ministry's apex regulatory body, genetic engineering approval committee (GEAC). Had the ministry not put the 2007 notification on hold, it would have exempted importers from even informing the government.

The ministry's order has been in sync with what the apex court had directed the government in response to a petition six years ago. The court had directed the ministry to put such an order on hold till the controversial issue is finally decided.

The current order — to strictly regulate the import of GM organisms — assumes significance in view of strong opposition from civil society groups to any transgenic food item. They argued that the transgenic food will not only ruin the health of consumers but will also adversely affect the biodiversity.

"Government will take a call on the issue only after conclusion of a pending PIL (public interest litigation) in the Supreme Court. Hopefully, the court will have a final word on it, either way, by March", said a ministry official. He said the ministry would accordingly either amend the notification or withdraw it altogether. The apex court's final order would hopefully also bring more clarity on the issue of labeling GM foods in India, he added.

In order to have definite view on the issue of GM food crops, the SC had appointed a technical expert committee (TEC) comprising scientists/experts from different backgrounds. Though this panel has already submitted its report in the court, it failed to make unanimous recommendation.

While five members of this panel expressed their strong reservation against the genetically engineered crops and rejected even the scientific trials of such crops in India, one member R S Paroda submitted a separate report and pitched for field trials for collecting bio-safety data under close observation of experts appointed by the agriculture ministry.

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com