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Govt panel allows use of BT cotton variety

The government on Tuesday approved commercial production of gene-modified cotton, and indicated it may later allow other transgenic crops previously barred because of worries about their impact on the environment.

"The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee has approved the release of BT (bacillus thuringiensis) cotton into the environment of the country with certain conditions," GEAC chairman A M Gokhale told reporters after the panel met.

"Not all varieties of BT cotton have been cleared," he said but without specifying which varieties had got the green light.

"The committee will consider other crops like as mustard, soybean and corn at a later stage but we have not fixed any time frame," Gokhale added.

India, the world's third-largest cotton producer, has so far only allowed a few companies and research bodies to carry out field trials of gene-altered crops.

Traders say India has the world's largest cotton-growing area but its yield is just 300 kg per hectare -- less than half the global average of about 650 kg.

Gokhale said conditions for the use of the cotton were being "fine-tuned" and would be announced on Wednesday.

Approval by the GEAC, set up by the union environment ministry, is mandatory for field trials and commercial production of GM crops in the country.

Firms can now apply for distribution of seed to the environment ministry and start selling after getting clearance.

GM cotton has been extensively field-tested by Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Co in which U.S. biotechnology giant Monsanto has a 26 percent stake.

The company started limited field trials of its BT seed in 1996/97 but has faced opposition from environmentalists and farmers worried about its safety and the transparency of the trial data.

The BT cotton contains the "Cry 1 Ac" gene and is resistant to the cotton bollworm, which can cause heavy damage to crops.

In October the union government ordered destruction of illegally grown GM cotton in Gujarat to prevent resowing of the seed. Local authorities have bought up some but not all production from farmers to stop the seed entering the market.

India's cotton production in the current crop year ending September was forecast at 15.6 million bales of 170 kg each, up from 14.0 million bales a year earlier.

Meanwhile, in a media statement the Confederation of Indian Industry has stated that the genetic engineering approval committee's approval of Bt cotton was a landmark decision and a shot in the arm for the biotech industry.

It would also pave the way for future research and development in the agri-biotech industry in the country, said CII.

Stating that the approval was long overdue, CII reiterated that the decision would have a positive impact both on the domestic and international front. It would also send a positive signal that the government is committed to promoting the growth of knowledge-based industries in India.

The approval of Bt Cotton would help in the economic uplift of cotton farmers in the country and also provide them with the requisite technology to become competitive.

Additional inputs: Agencies

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