Discord over biotech authority Bill

BRAI will regulate research, transport, import, manufacture, use of organisms and products of modern biotechnology

The tabling of the National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority Bill in Parliament has led to discord between groups that favour genetically modified (GM) crops and those that oppose these.

“The Bill is steeped in conflict of interest, as the ministry promoting biotechnology is about to house the regulator; it undermines the federal polity of our nation by overriding the authority of state governments,” said Sridhar Radhakrishnan, convener of the Coalition For a GM-Free India.

“It also attempts to circumvent the right to information and transparency laws and is focused on creating a three-member technocratic, undemocratic and centralised decision-making body.” The Bill, which seeks to create a statutory regulator (the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India)  was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Brai would comprise a chairperson, two whole-time members and two part-time members. It is proposed to be headquartered in the Delhi National Capital Region.

The Bill also provides for the constitution of a biotechnology advisory council to provide strategic advice on modern biotechnology.

It is proposed Brai would have three regulatory divisions---the first would deal with agriculture, forest and fisheries; the second with human health and veterinary products and the third with environmental and industrial applications. The Bill also provides for a biotechnology regulatory advisory committee to act as a nodal agency between state governments and Brai for matters related to regulation of modern biotechnology.

Meanwhile, the Association of Biotech Led Enterprises--Agriculture Group (ABLE-AG) welcomed the government’s move to table the Bill in Parliament, saying this would lead to about single-window clearances.