GEAC REJECTS PERMISSION FOR COMMERCIAL
RELEASE OF Bt COTTON MECH-915
The Genetic Engineering
Approval Committee (GEAC) has rejected the proposal by M/s Mayco
Seed Company Pvt. Ltd. for commercial release of Bt. Cotton MECH-915
variety in the Northern States. The Committee which had its 36th
Meeting here today noted with concern the high sensitive nature
of this Bt. Hybrid towards curl leaf curl virus that affects the
yield of cotton and is rampant in the area where it is to be grown.
Accordingly the Committee was of the view that cotton production
in the north could be adversely affected by wide spread cultivation
of MECH –915.
As regards the commercial
release of Transgenic Mustard (Brassica Juncea) by M/s Proagro
Seeds Pvt. Ltd., the Committee was of the view that the trials
conducted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) are
not conclusive. ICAR has now been advised to conduct further trials
to address all issues regarding agronomic superiority, cross ability,
gene flow and resistance to herbicide. The committee also noted
that mustard being an edible crop, further studies to establish
health safety aspects need to be conducted.
