Experts have pointed out to conflict of interest on the role played by The Department of Biotechnology.  While the new body -- National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority (NBRA)—being proposed by the department DBT would regulate introduction of GMO in the country, the very same department is promoting GMOs. Deccan Development Society, a Hyderabad based NGO has called for a strong regulatory body to control the release of GMO and protect the nation’s interests from the monopoly of international biotech lobbies. A media report which quoted the Society’s director said that the present regulator, the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), would address the concerns on the impact that GM foods and genetically-engineered crops would have on the environment as it worked under the Ministry of Environment and Forests.     

Greenpeace demands ban on GM foods --

Activists of environment group Greenpeace recently held a demonstration in New Delhi protesting the presence of GM ingredients in food products, harmful for humans.

Earlier tests conducted at an independent laboratory on products picked up randomly by Greenpeace from a supermarket in New Delhi had revealed presence of GM Mon 863 and NK603 variety corn ingredients in Pepsico's Doritos corn chips. The activists were trying to draw the attention of India’s Health Minister Ramadoss to the health hazard of unregulated GM food dumped in the Indian market. The activists marched carrying banners reading “No to GE food” written on them.

France’s constitutional court upholds GMO law

France’s constitutional council recently approved the main points of a law on GM crops       after opposition had demanded a review. The opposition-- Socialists and environmentalists argued that the Bill does not make a distinction between natural and GM organisms and had sought a complete overhaul of the law. Constitutional council however ruled that the Bill conformed to the constitution. The Council argued that the law, for a preliminary system of authorisation for GMOs should make their cultivation subject to evaluation, surveillance and control procedures and should not fail to respect the principle of precaution when it allows coexistence of GMO and non-GMO crops. The council however ordered the government to amend one article concerning the types of information an applicant for a licence would have to provide. 

Austria complies with WTO ruling on GMOs

According to an announcement by EU, Austria has lifted a ban on importing and processing of GM corn as part of the EU’ efforts to comply with a WTO ruling on biotech foods. It is important to note that countries like Argentina, Canada and the US had approached WTO against EU for not complying with WTO rulings about sale of GM foods in EU countries. Many EU countries have been contending that GM foods are potentially unsafe for humans and the environment and many individual countries had banned it. However in November 26, WTO ruled against it. The EU also announced that it was taking steps to comply with a 2006 ruling that European countries illegally hindered the sale of GM foods. Austria  confirmed that it was implementing the EU decision on corn. However Austria clarified that it doesn't allow planting of GM crops.