India approves export of Bt cotton seeds to Pakistan

[LahoreEstate]

NEW DELHI (October 05 2009): Indias regulatory body for GM crops, Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has approved export of Bt cotton seeds to Pakistan. Hindustan Times reported that the GEAC working under the environment and Forest Ministry, gave permission to top GM seed companies like Monsanto, Hyderabad-based Bayer Hybrid Seeds and Aurangabad-based Nath Biogene in September to export GM hybrid seeds to Pakistan for trials.

Indias Bt Cotton seeds have helped the country double its cotton production in seven years. Bt or Bacillus Thuringiensis is a bacterium that produces crystals proteins that are toxic to many species of insects and pests, the daily said. It provides us a good opportunity to test highly successful GM cotton seeds in a similar geographical terrain in Pakistan, the daily quoting Jagresh Rana, director, Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech said.

Bt Cotton is grown on the Indian side of border in Abhor in Punjab and normal cotton is grown on a similar soil in Pakistan. One can see the difference. We have no reason to believe that Indias cotton success story cannot be replicated in Pakistan, he said. Our bonhomie with our neighbours (Pakistan) on environment issues from climate change to GM is good, said Indian environment Minister Jairam Ramesh. Indian companies have already acquired an import permit from the Pakistan government earlier this year for testing of Bt Cotton hybrid seeds, the daily added.

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