(a) whether a huge quantity of Soya Oil is imported from various countries like
Argentina, Brazil and USA;
(b) if so, the quantity of Soya Oil imported during 2001-2002 together with the
imported prices of each country;
(c) whether there is likelihood that the imported Soya Oil is extracted from transgenic
varieties;
(d) if so, whether genetically modified food is being imported without any risk
valuation; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a) & (b) The details of Soya Oil imported from various countries during April 2001 to February
2002 is at Annexure.
(c) to (e) The import of genetically modified products is governed by Rules framed under
Environment Protection Act, 1986 which is handled by the Ministry of Environment and
Forests. Rule 11 of the Rules for the Manufacture, Use, import, export and storage of
Hazardous Microorganisms/ Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989, notified
under EP Act 1986, provides that food stuffs, ingredients in food stuffs and additives
including processing aids containing or consisting of genetically engineered organisms
or cells, shall not be produced, sold, imported or used except with the approval of the
Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC).
Only two cases of import of soya oil have been filed before the GEAC by the
Catholic Relief Services and CARE, India. The sample of oil sought to be imported
were tested at Centre for DNA Finger Printing and Diagonostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, as
per directions of GEAC. The CDFD reported that the samples do not contain either
DNA or proteins. There after GEAC accorded clearance of the consignments.
Annexure
Soya bean crude oil (Quantity in Mts Value in Rs. crore)
Country Quantity Value
Argentina 741418.98 1250.15 Baharian Is 1500 2.17 Brazil 303028.45 488.1 Indonesia 4650.38 7.4 Malaysia 9324.71 17.68 Netherland 1750 2.89 Singapore 250 0.36 South Africa 2000 2.94 Thailand 1379 2.45 USA 13572.87 22.65 Unspecified 2000 3.19
Other soya bean oil & its fractions
Country Quantity Value
Argentina 145978.73 231.90 Brazil 45617.89 77.85 Denmark 53.3 0.12 German F Rep 48.9 0.14 Indonesia 1000.28 1.22 South Africa 4000 5.93 UAE 750 1.26 USA 5865.33 21.98