In November 2007, the
Government of India released the National Biotech
Development Strategy that suggests establishment of a
National Biotech Regulatory Authority. Recently, the Genetic
Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) approved new
guidelines and protocols for conducting confined field
trials and safety assessments of foods derived from biotech
plants. The GEAC has also granted approval for a new Bt
event that has been introduced for the first time in a
varietal background. Area coverage under Bt cotton, the only
commercially approved biotech crop, has surged to over 80
percent of total cotton area in the last six years. All
sections of this report were updated on 7/15/08.
