agri policy
GM MUSTARD DATA OUT IN PUBLIC
DOMAIN FOR COMMENTS
T
he Union Ministry of Environment and
Forests has invited comments in the form of
written submissions for the proposal on
authorization of environmental release of
Genetically Engineered Mustard. The document
prepared by the sub-committee of Genetic
Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has been
placed on the website for comments by stakeholders
and general public for a period of 30 days. The
comments received will be then reviewed by the subcommittee and GEAC before taking appropriate
decision, said the circular from Ministry on
September 05, 2016.
As per the circular, this process has been rolled out
as a response to the the application of Centre for
Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP),
University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi for
the approval of environmental release of Genetically
Engineered mustard (Brassica juncea) hybrid DMH11 and use of parental events (Varuna bn 3.6 and
EH-2 modbs 2.99) for the development of new
generation hybrids, to the Genetic Engineering
Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
The circular further mentioned that the sub30
BioVoiceNews | September 2016
The regulator for
assessment of genetically
modified organisms in the
country has invited written
public comments for
proposal on authorization
of environmental release of
genetically engineered
mustard upto 5th Oct 2016
BY SAYONI RAUTELA
committee of GEAC has examined the dossier on
food safety, environmental safety, compliance etc.
and have prepared a document “Assessment of Food
and Environmental Safety (AFES)” for
Environmental release of GE Mustard (Brassica
juncea) hybrid DMH-11 and use of parental events
(Varuna bn3.6 and EH2 modbs 2.99) for
development of new generation hybrids.
As per the provisions of Rules, 1989, the biosafety
dossier submitted by CGMCP, University of Delhi
South Campus has been received by GEAC which
constituted a sub-committee of scientific experts to
thoroughly examine the biosafety data submitted by
the applicant. The full biosafety dossier submitted
by the applicant is available in the GEAC Secretariat
at Environment Ministry, New Delhi.
One can access the dossier during working hours in
person by prior appointment during the public
consultation period. The written comments in the
prescribed format from among stakeholders or even
general public can be sent through email in the
prescribed format at [email protected].
Submissions will be received upto the close of
working hours i.e. 5.30 pm on October 05, 2016.