THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)
(a) Bt Cotton is the only Genetically Modified (GM) crop grown in the country. World-over
cotton, maize, soybean, canola, potato, alfalfa, rice, sugar beet, linseed, papaya, squash,
poplar, sweet pepper, tomato, wheat and tobacco are commercially grown in different countries.
However, other approved GM crops are carnation, rose, bean, petunia, chicory, creeping bent
grass, melon, plum and brinjal as per International Service for the Acquisition of Bio-Tech
Applications (ISAAA, 2011).
(b) & (c): It is mandatory to conduct trials of GM crops before their introduction in
country as per regulatory guidelines and procedures under rules 1989 of EPA 1986. The Indian
Council of Agricultural Research and other scientific institutions are involved in conduct of
research and field trials of Bt cotton, Bt brinjal and other transgenic crops such as rice,
maize, mustard, potato, okra, groundnut, chickpea, sorghum, watermelon, sugarcane and
cauliflower & cabbage during 2006 – 2012. So far, only Bt cotton was introduced for
commercial cultivation in the country.
(d) As biosafety assessment of GM crops is a long drawn process, it is not possible to
indicate which GM crops are likely to be approved.
(e) The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) bill is under consideration
of the Government which ensures extensive evaluation and regulatory approval process before
commercial cultivation of GM crops in the country.