Monsanto secures govt panel nod for GM mustard amidst cotton fiasco

Genetic seeds company Monsanto has received clearance from a government-appointed panel for its genetically modified mustard seed, the first GM food crop developed by the US company in India, amidst an ongoing controversy over its GM cotton seed.

Monsanto, however, needs approval from the government amid wide-spread public opposition to genetically modified foods.

Monsanto claims to have carried out a decade-long trial of its indigenously developed GM mustard seeds before the panel of government and independent experts granted it approval on 11 August following multiple reviews of crop trial data.

The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee of the environment ministry is expected to give the go-ahead soon before moving it to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office for a final decision.

Environment minister Anil Madhav Dave did not comment on the developments.

Meanwhile, the US seed maker, which has a monopoly in the GM cotton market in India, is facing flak for squeezing farmers with high prices and failing to ensure protection against pests for the crop despite tall promises.

The company is now throeing tantrums by withdrawing an application seeking approval for what it calls ''next generation cotton seed in India,'' and blaming the company for new regulation that has forced the company to consider quitting a country it has operated in for decades (See: Monsanto withdraws application for next-gen GM cotton). GM oilseeds could be a big draw in a country, which spends tens of billions of dollars importing edible oils every year. Oilseed farmers in India are stuck with modest yields amidst shrinking land area and unpredictable weather patterns

But concerns of public health and environment and a general public fears that lab-altered GM crops could compromise food safety and biodiversity.