Question : IMPORT OF CHICKEN PRODUCTS

(a) whether the Government is aware that the imported Chicken products and chicken legs from America and other European countries are brought up on genetically modified food such as soya and corn;

(b) whether the Government is also aware that the Chickens in those countries are fed tallow to help them gain weight;

(c) whether import of chicken products and chicken legs have considerably increased during the last few months;

(d) if so, whether the Government plans to make it compulsory that such products are accompanied with a health certification system giving details of the fed on which these units have been fattened;

(e) whether Chicken food with genetically modified feed are extremely harmful for human beings; and

(f) if so, the steps being taken to prohibit the import of such harmful products in the Country?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (DR. DEBENDRA PRADHAN)

(a)&(b): As far as Government is aware, USA is producing genetically modified soya and corn. However, corn has several uses apart from being used as a feed for poultry. Hence, it is not possible to say whether the products which will be imported will be from chicken fed on genetically modified feed. Chicken fed with genetically modified feed or tallow do not become different from chicken fed with non-genetically modified feed or not fed with tallow.

(c): No, Sir.

(d): In view of the reply to part (c) above, question does not arise.

(e): No information is available which suggests that chicken fed on genetically modified food are harmful to human beings.

(f): In view of reply to part (e) above, question does not arise.