But the environment ministry’s Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has deferred approval despite a panel the ministry supervises giving the genetically modified (GM) mustard technical clearance last year. The environment ministry told parliament on July 31 that GM mustard had been recommended by GEAC to it for “consideration for environmental release and cultivation”. An environment ministry spokesman directed Reuters to GEAC head Amita Prasad, whose office said she was not available. Pental, who earlier acknowledged that getting a go-ahead for GM food would be difficult, declined to comment on Tuesday. GM food has been opposed by activists and politicians in India due to fears that it could compromise food safety and biodiversity.

Source: Hindustan Times October 24, 2017 08:15 UTC