Centre tells apex court that it is considering suggestions on policy for genetically-modified mustard seeds
The Centre informed the Supreme Court on Monday that it has so far not taken any policy decision on the commercial release of Genetically Modified (GM) mustard crop. The submission was made when the apex court was hearing a matter seeking a stay on the commercial release of the country's first genetically-modified crop.
Tushar Mehta, Additional Solicitor General, said the Centre is still working on the policy, and has invited suggestions before it is rolled out. "Once the policy is rolled out, it cannot be recalled. The Centre is still working on it and once it is ready, it will be presented in court within a week of its release," Mehta said.
To this, the bench comprising of Chief Justice of India JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud said that keeping the importance of the issue in mind, the policies must be "well-informed and well-intentioned" because it impacts the country.
On May 11, in a decision that could have a far-reaching impact on food crops in India, the country's apex regulator of genetically modified (GM) organisms and foods recommended the commercial cultivation of GM mustard crop.
The regulator, Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), gave its nod for the food crop with certain conditions.
However, though the environment ministry is on the verge of giving its final nod for the commercialisation of GM mustard, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has begun mulling a regime of labelling GM foods, which does not exist in India as of now.
FSSAI, who is responsible for testing food standards, though, is not presently looking at independently testing GM foods for their impact on human health, senior officials told DNA.
Seeking a stay on the commercialisation, advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for petitioner Aruna Rodrigues, alleged that the government was conducting field trials without conducting the relevant tests. In fact, farmers have been sowing seeds despite the publication of a bio-safety dossier online.
In his petition, Bhushan sought a 10-year moratorium on them. Bhushan said a Technical Expert Committee (TEC) report has pointed out that the entire regulatory system was in a shambles and a 10-year moratorium should be given.
Mulling over
The submission was made when the apex court was hearing a matter seeking a stay on the commercial release of the country’s first genetically-modified crop.
The environment ministry is on the verge of giving its final nod for the commercialisation of GM mustard, the FSSAI of India is also considering the same.
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