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Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (Pakepa) has received an application for the limited release of genetically modified (GM) cotton (Bt cotton) lines into the environment in order to examine its resistance/ tolerance to chewing pests and agronomic performance into local climatic condition especially attack of cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) and Mealy bug.

In April 2008; the National Biosafety Center at Pakepa proceed the process after examining the application from Monsanto Pakistan - later on the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) reviewed the application on the technical basis and recommended to the National Biosafety Committee (NBC) to decide for approval.

On 19th May National Biosafety Committee (NBC) has finally granted approval to Monsanto to import 13 Biotech cotton seed varieties from India - 200 gm of each Bt cotton variety would be tested at limited locations of cotton growing region during current cotton season. The limited field trails would follow the concept of "Refugia and Buffer Zone" for growing GM crops under Pakistan biosafety Rules and National Biosafety Guidelines. The transgenic lines are called "bollgard".

NBC will control and monitor the whole process fromthe import and field-testing; the project can be stopped at any time, at any tier, if found hazardous to human beings or environment.

Earlier to this the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MinFAL) and Monsanto signed a letter of intent (LoI) to expand cotton production in Pakistan by introducing Monsanto-derived insect protection technology Bollgard.

National Biosafety Center has prepared a risk assessment and risk management plan; which concludes that the release would not pose a significant risk to human health and safety to the environment.

By Ijaz Ahmad Rao

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