Experts call for overhaul of GM, GE crops framework

Agricultural scientists, policymakers and industry representatives called for an overhaul of India’s regulatory framework for genetically modified (GM) and genome-edited (GE) crops.

The call for faster, science-based approvals aims to improve climate resilience, food security and farm productivity.

The recommendations emerged from a roundtable organised by the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) with over 80 experts.

ICAR Director General and DARE Secretary ML Jat said India needs a balanced regulatory system for safe deployment of modern biotechnologies while ensuring biosafety.

Proposed reforms include simplifying testing guidelines under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to modernize governance of transgenic crops.