www.checkbiotech.org ; www.raupp.info ; www.czu.cz

The Centre?s bid to keep a check on the imports of genetically modified (GM)
foods into India is posing problems for soyabean oil importers. The
government?s rule (dated April 7, 2006) that importers of GM soyabean oil
will have to obtain prior clearance from the Genetic Engineering Approval
Committee (GEAC) constituted under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, was
deferred twice in 2006. It is once again up for expiry on March 31; March
2007 by Deepa Krishnan.

Importing from the largest producers of soyabean, Argentina and Brazil,
requires that the contracts are entered into at least two to three months
ahead inclusive of shipping time. Soyabean refiners in India are seeking a
one-time approval certificate allowing imports of GM soyabean oil, or
extension of the deadline to comply to prior approval of imports.

The Solvent Extractors Association of India has made a representation to
GEAC regarding the same. The lack of any clear regulation in this regard is
deterring imports of GM soya oil, and could lead to a shortage in April as
no new contracts are being entered into after February due to the
uncertainty.

When contacted, executive director, SEA, BV Mehta confirmed that a
representation to review the matter has been made to GEAC. Officials of GEAC
refused to comment on the issue.

More than two-third of India?s soyabean oil requirement is met through
imports. It is a matter of concern as most of this degummed soyabean oil is
crushed out of GM soyabean and comes from Argentina and Brazil. All the
soyabean and soyabean oil produced in India are non-GM.

India?s production of soyabean oil is about 1.1 million tonne, while we
import between 1.8 million and 20 million tonne.

In order to consider a one-time approval vis-a-vis imports of GM soyabean
oil, the industry has been asked to obtain test results on a number of
parameters from any of three laboratories, Central Food Technological
Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN),
Hyderabad and Shriram Institute of Industrial Research. However, some of
these labs were unable to undertake testing of certain parameters, industry
sources pointed out.

An official from an prominent multi-national company said, ?The GEAC
continued to add new specifications like conformity with Prevention of Food
Adulteration Act, gyphosate residues in the oil and residues of refining.

But even as all the prescribed requirements had been fulfilled, the GEAC has
requested that the testing process be re-started and has prescribed that
CFTRI to undertake all the tests. This will take considerable amount of
time.? The samples have been despatched to CFTRI in January.

As per the existing regulation, imports of soyabean oil from April 1?07
onwards will require GEAC?s prior approval. This would imply a delay as no
new contracts are being booked. This could lead to a subsequent price rise.
A similar situation occurred prior to July ?06 when the notification of
relaxation of imports of soyabean oil was to expire on July 4, ?06.

This led to a serious price rise July onwards, following which an extension
on soyabean oil imports was given until March 31, ?07. In the two weeks
until the notification for deference came out, the prices jumped by over $30
per tonne. The average price of soyabean oil in June ?06 was $521 per tonne,
and moved up to $552 per tonne in July.

[economictimes.indiatimes.com]