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The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has approved experimental field trials for generating bio-safety data for Genetically Modified crops.
This was informed by Environment and Forest minister Jayanthi Natarajan in a written reply to a query in the Lok Sabha. The minister said currently 79 applications covering 11 crops - cotton, rice, castor, maize, wheat, sugarcane, potato, brinjal, chickpea, mustard and sorghum - are pending with the GEAC. Out of the 79 applications, 24 are awaiting NoC from state governments and the remaining are yet to be considered by GEAC.
The minister said in view of the objections received from some state governments regarding GM crop field trials in their state, GEAC in its meeting held in July 2011 had decided to direct the applicants to obtain NoC from the state government in the first instance before issuance of the approval letter.
