Inter-ministerial meeting on GM crops

Amidst controversy on the issue of import of genetically modified foods, an inter-ministerial meeting is being held on Wednesday to discuss the policy on GM foods and crop, including their import.

The meeting would be attended by representatives from the ministries of external affairs, health, agriculture, food processing and industry and commerce besides the environment ministry, sources in the environment ministry said.

There would also be members from the department of biotechnology and Indian Council of Medical Research, they said.

Deliberations would be held on GM and food and crops, and the import policy on them would also be discussed. However, no decision was likely to emerge from the meeting, the sources added.

The current policy is to allow import of GM foods on a case-by-case basis, the sources said.

However, so far authorities have not permitted import of any GM food for the country. There was a proposal from international aid agencies seeking permission for the import of GM corn-soya blend, they said. The proposal was rejected.