SC announces split verdict on GM mustard

New Delhi | Desk: The Supreme Court’s division bench, consisting of Justices BV Nagarathna and Sanjay Karol announced a split verdict on the challenge to the 2022 decision by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).

This decision had granted conditional approval for the environmental release of the genetically modified (GM) mustard crops.

The bench of justices have asked the Union Government to create a National Policy on genetically modified (GM) crops. This policy should cover areas like research, cultivation, trade, and commerce of GM crops.

On October 18, 2022, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), which operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and regulates genetically modified organisms in India, recommended the environmental release of GM crops. A week later, on October 25, 2022, they approved the environmental release of the GM mustard hybrid DMH-11.

In a judgment on July 23, the court stated that a national policy on GM crops should be created. This policy should involve input from all relevant parties, including experts in agriculture and biotechnology, State governments, and farmers’ representatives. The court suggested that the government hold a national consultation within the next four months to develop this policy.