Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), the apex authority for approval of large-scale field trials and commercialisation of GM crops, has decided to hold “dialogue” with state governments to iron out irritants being faced in the grant of no objection certificates (NOC) for GM crops’ trials.
The development comes after the Centre’s Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation and GM seed industry association petitioned the GEAC regarding the delay or denial of NOC for field trials by some states. They said the reluctance on the states’ part had forced companies to shift field trials to non-traditional crop-growing states. The states granting permissions had done so to non-suitable areas, unlikely to provide correct results.
The issue was discussed in a GEAC meeting in December where it was concluded that the reluctance of state governments to grant NOC was mainly due to lack of clarity on their role as also lack of awareness on technical issues associated with biotechnology and biosafety measures. Agriculture Ministry officials said Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh have indicated their reluctance to grant NOCs for field trials.
Earlier, GEAC chairman M F Farooqui, who is also Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, wrote to Agriculture Ministry offering to address state agriculture department representatives during a conference to sensitise them regarding their role in the approval process. “There is a lack of clarity on the role of state governments, especially with respect to concerns that should have bearing on whether to grant NOC or not. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a dialogue on the issue,” Farooqui wrote to Agriculture Secretary P K Basu.
Rules concerning the regulation of GM crops notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, did not provide states any role in the approval process earlier, but the GEAC, in July 2011, made NOC from states mandatory for field trials.