Question : WITHDRAWAL OF REGULATORY OVERSEEING ON IMPORT OF GE SEEDS

(a) whether the Government has issued a notification withdrawing the regulatory overseeing on the import of Genetically Engineered seeds;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the absence of any regulation of entry of Genetically Engineered (GE) seeds is likely to lead to uncontrolled infiltration of such seeds leading to grave threat to health, environment and economy of the country;

(d) if so, whether the Government has formulated any programme for strict adherence to norms in clearance given by the Genetically Engineered Approval Committee (GEAC) to such seeds; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)

(a) No Sir, The Ministry of Environment and Forests has not issued any such notification.

(b) &( c) Does not arise.

(d) The Government of India is following a case by case approval of genetically modified products for which extensive rules and guidelines have been framed for evaluating their environmental and health safety. Only those transgenic crops which are found to be safe for the environment as well as human consumption are approved for environment release.

(e) Does not arise as the ‘Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Micro Organisms/ Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells Rules, 1989 notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has been in force since 1990.