More Bt cotton hybrids are approved for commercial cultivation by the
GEAC (The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee).
The GEAC has approved 39 new Bt cotton hybrids for commercial
cultivation in south India and 9 new Bt cotton hybrids for commercial
cultivation in Central India in the current season.

Earlier the apex court had banned the commercial cultivation of Bt
cotton for some scientific and animal welfare reasons.

The apex court has partially modified its earlier ban on genetically
manufactured crop trials.

The GEAC has set up a scientific investigation committee which is
headed by SPS Ahlawat, the director of Indian Veterinary Research Institute,
to examine reports received from NGOs regarding sheep mortality in Warangal
and Adilabad districts of Andhra Pradesh due to consumption of Bt cotton
leaves.

The panel consists of K Somasekhar Reddy, associate dean in the
College of Veterinary, Hyderabad, Y Thirupathaiah, joint director of animal
husbandry in the Andhra Pradesh government, Chenga Reddy of Cotton Research
Station, Guntur and KK Tripathi, advisor in the department of biotechnology.

Since the apex court order of May 9, partially modifying its earlier
ban order on GM crop trials, the GEAC has gone upbeat in making a spate of
approvals of Bt cotton for commercial cultivation.

Andhra Pradesh directorate of animal husbandry has submitted a report
to the GEAC for presence of possible toxins in Bt cottom and their ill
effect on animals. The Committee set up by GEAC will examine the report
received from AP directorate of animal husbandry


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