The Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) has raised serious concerns over the alleged import of genetically modified (GM) soyabean in India by violating the environment and plant quarantine regulations.
In a letter dated May 6 to the Union minister for environment, forest and climate change, SOPA executive director DN Pathak said, “It has come to our knowledge that soyabean is being imported into India from various countries. Flouting of environment and plant quarantine regulations is a very serious matter and we would request immediate investigation into all soyabean imports to ensure that plant quarantine and environmental regulations are strictly followed.”
There are separate regulations for import of soyabean seed for sowing and seeds for consumption or processing. There are additional restrictions on import of genetically modified food items which can be imported only against permission from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). So far GEAC has not given any clearance for import of GM soyabean. “To the best of our knowledge, none of the plant quarantine conditions has been fulfilled by the importers and approval of GEAC has also not been obtained for import of any genetically modified soyabean,” Pathak wrote. SOPA represents the soyabean processing industry in the country.
“It is not clear whether the consignments of soyabean cleared through customs meet the Plant Quarantine Rules which also specify that the disposal of any imported soyabean consignment will have to be under the guidelines issued by the Plant Protection Advisor to the government of India,” said Pathak.
SOPA has requested the government that all consignments of soyabean, whether GM or otherwise, imported into the country should be strictly as per import and Plant Quarantine regulations.
The export of soyabean meal during April 2016 was just 12,295 tonne compared to 46,389 tonne in April 2015 i.e. down by 73.5%, data compiled by SOPA stated. During current oil year (October-September), total exports during October 2015 to April 2016 were 1,98,065 tonne as against 5,96,016 tonne last year, showing a decrease of 66.77%.
