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India to consider U.S. groups' plea on biotech corn, soy blend (Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003 -- CropChoice news) -- Reuters via Agnet: NEW DELHI --
Officials were cited as saying on Tuesday that India will
consider an appeal by aid groups to allow a planned shipment of soy blended
with corn which had been rejected because it was unclear if it had been
genetically modified.
The story says that India's Genetic Engineering Approval Committee in
November turned down an application by U.S.-based aid groups CARE and the
Catholic Relief Society (CRS) to import the shipment to make food for
impoverished school children.
Officials from the Environment Ministry, which oversees the committee, said
the consignment was not approved because it lacked proper certification.
"Our contention is they should certify that it does not contain StarLink or
any other genetically-modified and harmful variety," a senior ministry
official told Reuters.
A U.S. Embassy spokesman in New Delhi was cited as saying the soy-corn blend
was safe for human consumption and contained no Starlink DNA, adding, "There
is no rejection, they have deferred approval and it is going to the
appellate authority and we believe it will make a favourable determination.
We are encouraged that the... (committee) has agreed to review the issue of
importation of corn-soybean blend for food aid deliveries, especially since
it has been proven to be safe for human consumption."
The ministry official said CARE and CRS appeal would be considered on
January 28. | |
