Australia approves commercial release of GM variety of Indian mustard

Scientists say this could be first such approval for a GM variety of Indian mustard anywhere in the world

Even as India awaits clearance of genetically modified mustard, the regulatory authority in Australia approved the commercial cultivation of the genetically modified Indian mustard species called ‘Brassica juncea’ for herbicide tolerance a few weeks ago.

Scientists said this is, perhaps, the first time a genetically modified variety of Indian mustard has received commercial approval anywhere in the world.

So far, the canola (Brassica napus) is perhaps the only genetically modified mustard variety that has been cleared for commercial application.

GM canola has been in cultivation since 1996 in several countries across the world including Canada, the USA, and even in