India is unlikely to comply with US calls for to simply accept genetically modified (GM) agricultural merchandise comparable to corn and soya
throughout the ongoing negotiations for a commerce deal, a supply carefully monitoring the talks has indicated.
“Some issues are issues of precept. We will’t import GM,” the supply stated in response to a question over the federal government’s place on GM imports from the US.
This assumes significance since agriculture stays one of many contentious points between the 2 international locations, and the US Commerce Consultant (USTR) has beforehand flagged restrictions on its GM merchandise by international locations as discriminatory.
“The Meals Security and Requirements Act of 2006 contains particular provisions for regulating meals merchandise derived from genetically engineered (GE) sources; nonetheless, as of December 31, 2024, the FSSAI was nonetheless within the course of of creating its rules. India’s biotechnology approval processes are gradual, opaque, and topic to political influences, and don’t seem to bear in mind science-based approval processes for GE merchandise in exporting international locations,” the USTR report had stated.
Whereas India is searching for better market entry for its textiles, leather-based and footwear, the US is pushing for entry to India’s agricultural and dairy markets — a serious hurdle, as Indian farmers typically function on small land parcels with restricted technological help. In distinction, the US has demanded that India ought to drop its GM regulation.
There’s important resistance to genetically modified (GM) crops in India. Just one GM crop — Bt cotton — is accredited for cultivation. No GM meals crop is commercially grown, though experimental trials proceed. Nevertheless, imports of GM soybean oil and canola oil are permitted.
A 2013 report by the European Community of Scientists for Social and Environmental Accountability (ENSSER) emphasised that many research deeming GM meals secure have been industry-funded, and that lengthy‑time period, impartial research have been missing.
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New Delhi‑primarily based suppose tank GTRI stated: “Environmental research have proven that widespread use of Bt crops can result in pest resistance, comparable to within the pink bollworm, and pose dangers to non‑goal species comparable to monarch butterflies, as recommended in a 1999 Nature examine. Moreover, the overuse of glyphosate with herbicide-tolerant GM crops has led to ‘superweeds’ and elevated herbicide use.”
The GTRI stated that GM and non‑GM crops could intermingle at numerous phases of the provision chain — throughout transport, storage or processing. “As soon as GM materials enters, there’s a excessive danger it might leak into native farming techniques or processed meals chains, posing dangers to meals security, environmental integrity, and India’s export fame — particularly in GM‑delicate markets such because the EU,” the suppose tank warned.
It stated the import of GM merchandise, comparable to animal feed, might negatively have an effect on India’s agricultural exports to the EU, which enforces strict GM-labelling guidelines and faces robust client opposition to GM‑linked merchandise.
Though GM feed is permitted, many European patrons favor totally GM‑free provide chains. India’s fragmented agri‑logistics and lack of segregation infrastructure enhance the chance of cross‑contamination and hint GM presence in export consignments. This might lead to cargo rejections, greater testing prices, and erosion of India’s GM‑free picture, significantly in sectors comparable to rice, tea, honey, spices and natural meals, the GTRI stated.