Agri-biotech firms pin hopes on BRAI Bill

Crop companies are optimistic that the legislation which would grant a single-window clearance to genetically modified crops will soon be passed by the lawmakers.

The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill, which seeks to form a five-member regulator for biotechnology, was to be tabled in Parliament last week, but was delayed due to the Anna Hazare fast.

“We are very supportive of the Bill and are hoping it will get tabled in the current session of Parliament. If approved, it should take at least a year to get operational,” said V Ram Kaundinya, chairman, association of biotechnology led enterprises-agriculture group (ABLE-AG), which is a consortium of about 12 crop companies including Advanta, Bayer, Syngenta, BASF, Monsanto, Metahelix, etc.

“There have been concerns over when it will get tabled as the Bill has been talked about for quite a while. However, now it looks closer to getting tabled,” said Usha Barwale Zehr, joint director of research, Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co (Mahyco), which is also a member of ABLE-AG.

The biotech regulatory authority, once set up, will take all decisions on the research, manufacture and use of organisms and products created through biotechnology.

Kaundinya said the key advantage of the Bill is that it would provide for a single-window clearance for all biotech products. “Currently, we deal with the agriculture, environment and science and technology ministries. So, if there is one unit with full empowerment, it will be beneficial for the sector.”

However, some agriculture and farmer groups are of the view that the Bill has certain clauses which are not in public interest.
Kavitha Kuruganti, convenor, Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (Asha), a farmers and consumer group network, said that the Brai Bill is being proposed by the science and technology ministry which is an inherent promoter of genetically modified crop.

“This leads to a conflict of interest. It should be the health or environment ministries dealing with this Bill. Moreover, biotech regulation is not just about bio-safety, but there are issues related to farmers’ rights, consumer rights, which should also be looked into.”

Another concern with the Bill is a clause which seeks to classify some information as confidential commercial information and leaves it to the discretion of the authority to share or withhold.

“Bio-safety and other data related to biotech products which will be consumed by people should not be classified as confidential information. People who will consume the products have a right to know all details,” said a food policy expert.

Another concern is that the Bill has very weak penalty clauses, as well as no mention of compensation to affected parties in case of any damage caused. “It should address issues such as liability, compensation and not just be a supreme body empowering the corporations,” said Kuruganti.