India
August 29, 2007
Source:
USDA/FAS GAIN report IN7078
Large-scale trials of domestic Bt
cotton stalled in India
The
Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has denied
permission to the Central
Institute of Cotton Research (CICR) for conducting
large-scale trials of five Bt hybrids/varieties on the basis of
the Supreme Court’s May 8 order that insisted on compliance with
a 0.01 percent genetic contamination level.
CICR is a Nagpur based institute
affiliated with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR) and had sought permission for undertaking large-scale
trials and seed production of four hybrids one variety of
cotton, in which cry1Ac gene was incorporated.
These indigenous hybrids of Bt
cotton were expected to provide cheaper planting material to
farmers after approval for commercial cultivation versus the
existing hybrids.
CICR’s cotton hybrids have
undergone confined strip trails during 2005 and 2006 in each of
the four agro-climatic zones of the country.
According to GEAC, the hybrids and
varieties could not be cleared, as the CICR is yet to conduct
detailed biosafety studies and to submit a test protocol for
detecting contamination of non-biotech cotton by the DNA of its
transgenic hybrids and varieties at levels as low as 0.01
percent.
The government has filed
applications requesting an amendment of the stringent test
protocol and the matter is scheduled for hearing next month.
Source: The Business Line,
08/22/07 |
