India, until now, has remained firm on restricting entry of GM crops into the country’s food chain. However, with US President Donald Trump’s push for greater market access for farm products, India could look into allowing GM soya and corn for industrial purposes only—a potential loophole in the country’s policy of a strong ban on GM crops in the food chain.
As India and US are likely to arrive at an interim trade agreement, New Delhi could consider allowing imports of genetically modified (GM) corn and soya strictly for production of ethanol and soybean oil, respectively, say experts.
India, until now, has remained firm on restricting entry of GM crops into the country’s food chain. However, with US President Donald Trump’s push for greater market access for farm products, India could look into allowing GM soya and corn for industrial purposes only—a likely loophole in the country’s policy of a strong ban on GM crops in the food chain.
India currently does not allow import or production of GM crops in the country.“India is very keen to open up GMO. India may allow import of (GM) corn from the US for purpose of industrial ethanol. But we will have to run through various manoeuvres as we don’t have any import policy which is specific for an activity.
We also need to have labelling norms which makes it clear that this (GM corn) is only for industrial consumption and not for human or animal consumption.
