Manila21-25 June, 2004

Public participation and awareness on genetically engineered

technologies of crops in India

Desh Deepak VermaJoint Secretary

Ministry of Environment an Forests

• The Ministry of Environment and Forests is the focal point for Convention on Biological Diversity and all biodiversity related matters including biosafety; and

• Ratified the Cartagena Protocol in January, 2003.

Biosafety Framework in India:Government Commitment

• Government of India has committed to biosafety issues by framing Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/ Genetically engineered organisms or cells under the EPA (1986).

• The 1989 Rules cover the entire spectrum of activities relating to research, development and use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and their products.

• Four principal facets of the biosafety regulatory framework namely, institutional, legal, environmental and public information are in place.

• In accordance with Article 8(g) of the Convention, India is committed to establish or maintain means to regulate, manage or control the risks associated with the use and release of LMOs resulting from biotechnology.

Current Regulatory Mechanism for GMOs: Statutory Bodies

1. Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC)

2. Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM)

3. Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC)

4. State Biotechnology Coordination Committee (SBCC)

5. District Level Committee (DLC)

BENEFITS OF GMOs IN BENEFITS OF GMOs IN AGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE

• Increased production to ensure food security

• Reduced need for clearing more land for farms

• Improved productivity of marginal lands• Fall in the irrigation and agrochemical

requirements

Weed infestedWeed infested Weed resistantWeed resistant Golden rice with Vitamin AGolden rice with Vitamin ASoyabeaSoyabeann

POTENTIAL ENVIORNMENTAL POTENTIAL ENVIORNMENTAL AND RELATED PROBLEMSAND RELATED PROBLEMS

Development of insect resistance Effect on non target herbivore insects,

pollinators etc. Gene flow to wild relatives leading to

gene contamination Health hazard for human beings and cattle Possible transfer of antibiotic resistant genes

to other soil bacteria Loss of local biodiversity Capture of market by GMO seed-Monopoly

ONGOING FIELD TRIALS IN THE ONGOING FIELD TRIALS IN THE WORLD WORLD

Red: countries that are growing GM crops ; Yellow: countries that are field testing GM crops

MAJOR GM CROPS, THEIR TRAITS AND AREA (MHA)

Crop Trait Area in 2001

1. Soybean Herbicide-tolerant 33.3

2. Corn Insect resistant (Bt)

5.9

3. Canola Herbicide-tolerant 2.7

4. Cotton Herbicide-tolerant 2.5

5. Cotton Insect resistant (Bt)/ Herbicide-tolerant

2.4

6. Corn Herbicide-tolerant 2.1

7. Cotton Insect resistant (Bt)

1.9

8. Corn Insect resistant (Bt)/ Herbicide-tolerant

1.8

TOTAL 52.6

GM CROPS APPROVED IN INDIA

Only one crop i.e. Bt cotton approved recently with various conditions for a period of three years by GEAC based upon recommendations of the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (MEC), ICAR and biosafety evaluation.

Results of insect infestation on Bt (right) and Results of insect infestation on Bt (right) and non-Bt (left) cotton bollsnon-Bt (left) cotton bolls

Information sharing and data base management

• Networking with various institutes and agencies.

• Development of databases. • Web management for information

dissemination to various stakeholders.

Involvement of stakeholders

• Societal acceptance is the key element for successful implementation of various polices and adaptation of technologies.

• Introduction of public consultation mechanism.

• Public Awareness programs.

Institutions and Public participation

• Indian R & D institutions have expertise for conducting research in this area. However,they need to be strengthened meet the challenges that are emerging with the rapidly changing biosafety scenario.

• Information sharing protocols and additional data capacity are needed to keep pace with the expected increase in trans-boundary movement of LMOs.

• Increasing public participation and awareness building programmes for all stakeholder groups play an important role.

• Knowledge and methodologies on Biosafety will be shared and transferred to the state agencies through training and awareness programmes.

• Strengthening institutional capacity for coordination and decision making across ministries, specialized agencies and in state government in areas related to biosafety and the CP.

• strengthen technical capacity to assess, manage and monitor risks associated with biosafety through the provision of training for core capacity development in relevant stakeholder ministries, specialized agencies and in state governments.

Training cum awareness workshops in India

• To share the experience of the industry and farmers with scientists, policy makers, state governments and NGOs.

• To sensitize and train state government officials and other stakeholders for effective monitoring of transgenic crops and review their performance.

• To demonstrate monitoring techniques to the agriculture related officials in the states where Bt cotton has been introduced.

• To create a better understanding of the rules and regulation related to biosafety of transgenic crops and apprise about developments related to transgenic crops in India.

 

The complexities of controversy

• Recent developments in the agricultural biotechnology arena claim different degrees of trust in regulatory institutions.

• Risks are not resolved easily once they become public controversies.

• Public risk perception is influenced as much by social relations and feelings of power.

• There is a need for developing integrated information systems through networking of institutions, databases, and establishment of a biosafety-clearing house that would interalia cover information on transboundary inventories of GMOs.

• In addition to the scientific assessments, socio-economic evaluation is also important for acceptance of GMOs.

• In this regard, creating awareness amongst various stakeholders is extremely important.

Capacity Building in Biosafety in India

• Efforts are being made towards capacity building within the country with the key thrust on training and awareness.

• Currently two such projects are underway:

– FAO Regional Capacity Building Project on Biosafety of GM Crops in Asia and;

– GEF-World Bank aided Capacity building project.

Thank You