Search the Internet          Tips  Sites: Finance, Investment

Clear transgenic mustard soon, Proagro tells govt

BS Agriculture Editor in Gurgaon

Proagro Seed Company, the developers of the controversial genetically-modified mustard hybrids, said it was frustrated over the delay in granting approval for the commercialisation of the new seeds.

"We have spent nearly Rs 5 crore (Rs 50 million) in the past eight years on the development of this technology. The delay in the approval will put off its commercialisation at least till 2004," Proagro Managing Director Clive J Pegg told reporters at the company's biotech laboratories-cum-research fields complex here.

Pegg said the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, which had withheld its approval to Proagro's GM mustard hybrids in its last meeting, had not asked the company to either conduct more trials or furnish any additional information about the new seeds.

"Mainly, three points were raised by the GEAC chairman when the Proagro representatives met him. These pertained to the concern over the pollen flow from GM mustard to non-GM mustard plants, longer duration of the GM hybrids, and food safety studies using the leaves of GM mustard hybrids," Pegg said.

He said pollen flow studies had been done and the data was with the GEAC. The growing period of GM hybrids was only four days more compared to the existing popular mustard variety, Varuna, they said.

The food safety studies had been conducted by two institutions approved by the government, including the reputed Sriram Institute.

The Proagro officials also discounted the criticism of the company regarding the transparency of the research data.

"The company has submitted the results of its extensive field trials spanning four years and evaluating all criteria stipulated by the GEAC. The discretion to make this data public lies with the committee. Proagro is open to discussions and debates on its technology at all public meetings," Verma said.

Powered by

ALSO READ:
India and GM Crops
More Money Headlines