The Genetic Engineering Approval
Committee(GEAC) under the Ministry of Environment & Forests
has not permitted the import of Corn Soya Blend from the United
States of America as it was likely to contain genetically modified
material. The import proposal of CARE and CRS was rejected by
the GEAC in November last year in view of the apprehension expressed
by the Indian Council of Medical Research and the absence of
certification from the US Regulatory Agency to the effect that
the Corn Soya shipment does not contain the banned transgenic
corn. This was stated by the Minister of Environment & Forests,
Shri T.R. Baalu in a written reply to a question raised by Shri
Rajkumar Dhoot and Smt. N.P. Durga in the Rajya Sabha today.
The Minister said that CARE and
CRS wanted to import Corn Soya Blend under the Integrated Child
Development Scheme(ICDS) through United States Agency for International
Development(USAID). The GEAC noted that there are several genetically
modified corn varieties being cultivated in USA both for human
consumption and animal feed. Shri Baalu said food material with
genetically modified contents are evaluated for food and health
safety aspects prior to its import. CARE and CRS appealed before
the Appellate Authority against the decision of GEAC but the
appeal was later withdrawn, the Minister informed.
