(a) whether the `genetically modified` soy oil which is being imported from foreign countries is harmful to health;
(b) if so, the efforts being made by the Government to ban the imports of the said product; and
(c) by when the import of said product is likely to be banned?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND F0RESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a) The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) constituted under Rule 4 of the `Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, And Export And Storage Of Hazardous Micro Organisms Genetically Engineered Organisms Or Cells, 1989 framed under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has approved only limited import of refined vegetable soybean oil and Crude de-gummed Soya Bean Oil by CARE & CRS under the ICDS programme after ascertaining that oil processed from GM soyabean does not contain any protein or DNA.
(b) & (c) There is, therefore, presently no reason to consider a ban on import of these products.