Tariq Anwar - There are provisions in the Seed Act for quality control on GM crops
The Seeds Act, 1966, Seed Rules, 1968 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 adequately cover the quality control of seeds including GM seeds. The Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 have provisions to draw the samples of GM seeds and test the same in the seed testing laboratories notified under section four of the Seeds Act, 1966.
The protocol for determining the presence or absence of genes in GM seed have been prescribed under Rule 33 of the Seed Rules, 1968 and laboratories for testing are notified under it.
Only Bt. Cotton has been allowed by Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) in India. The cost of Bt. Cotton seed is fixed by the respective State Government in consultation with Bt. Cotton seeds producing companies.
This information was given today by Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Tariq Anwar in a written reply to Lok Sabha questions.
