Monsanto is hyping another survey claiming big benefits for farmers from its GM cotton in India, with Andhra Pradesh being showcased as a particularly successful state.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1071820,curpg-2.cms

Yet nowhere in India is Bt cotton talked of more as a disaster than in Andhra Pradesh!

The latest Monsanto survey claims a 163% greater net profit for farmers who grew GM cotton, taken overall, compared to those with non-GMO varieties.

But as the press release below from scientists at the the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture in Andhra Pradesh points out, "most reports pouring in from independent sources" and from the media, and even in some cases from government sources, seem to point to the failure of Bt Cotton to provide any benefits to farmers.

The surveys that claim the big Bt benefits have consistently been commissioned or otherwise assisted by Monsanto's Indian joint venture - Monsanto-Mahyco Biotech India Ltd. (MMB).
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Bt Cotton: "Bt Cotton results being hyped up on the eve of next GEAC meeting"
Press Release from the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture

April 11, 2005, Hyderabad: Monsanto-Mahyco Biotech India Ltd, on the eve of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee's crucial meeting on April 13th 2005 and with an eye on the next Kharif market, is putting out extremely questionable data on Bt Cotton performance in Kharif 2004, alleged the Hyderabad-based Centre for Sustainable Agriculture [CSA] in a press statement today.

"MMB seems to be under great pressure to show that Bt Cotton is an effective pest management strategy and that pesticide sprays are progressively decreasing in Bt Cotton, probably to counter the experiences of farmers that bollworm resistance is in fact building up in their observation.

"The IMRB survey has put the pesticide costs of non-Bt hybrid users at around Rs. 1412/- in spite of an average use of 6.24 average sprays per acre. This finding seems highly inconsistent with data from other sources on the matter, and given that farmers use high-value, low-volume pesticides these days. Such an inconsistency is also reflected in the average pesticide cost of a meagre Rs. 275/- per acre for 1.73 sprays per acre on Bt cotton. This data is further inconsistent with MMB's own survey of last year (the AC Nielsen study) and the government should examine and question such inconsistency", said Dr G V Ramanjaneyulu, Executive Director, CSA.

"MMB seems to project its data in a manner that suits its market ambitions. For instance, from the first year itself, Monsanto has been promising Yield Increases with Bt Cotton in an ambiguous and misleading manner. The GEAC, in its March 4th 2005 meeting questioned the company on this and the company clarified that Bt cotton gives higher yield due to savings in the yield loss occurring because of bollworm damage. However, propaganda material used by the company does not clarify this and farmers are led to believe that yields will increase per se due to the introduction of the Bt technology", added Dr Shaikh Ali, Entomologist, CSA.

In this context, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture put out the remaining findings from its own study of Bt Cotton Vs. NPM (Non Pesticidal Management approach) Cotton, which shows that NPM approach is beneficial to farmers both in terms of economics as well as in terms of ecological conservation.

Different Parameters CSA’s Bt Cotton Vs NPM Cotton study 2004-05
Bt Cotton [n=117] NPM Cotton [n=121]
Pesticide Sprays 3.5 NIL
Cost of Pest management Rs. 2632 Rs. 382
Total cost of cultivation Rs. 9207 Rs. 5253
Average Yields 6.43 qtls 4.85 qtls
Average Net Income Rs. 2656 Rs. 3695

Kavitha Kuruganti of the CSA reported that "while MMB is putting out findings that show Rs. 13255/- as the average-per-acre-profit from Madhya Pradesh, a fact finding team of farmers and tribal activists from Sampark that had gone into ten villages of Petlawad block in Jhabua district on April 6th, 7th and 9th, 2005 found out that on an average, Bt Cotton is in fact faring worse than the non-Bt hybrids in the area". There are no significant benefits even in terms of pesticide reduction, as per these findings.

Different Parameters Rapid Appraisal of Bt Cotton from Petlawad block, Jhabua District, MP: 2004-05
Bt Cotton [n=36] Non-Bt Hybrids [n=20]
Pesticide Sprays 3.5 4.5
Total cost of cultivation Rs. 6345/acre Rs. 3466/acre
Average Yields 6.48 qtls 4.65 qtls
Average Net Income Rs. 4456/- Rs. 5182/-

Most reports pouring in from independent sources, media as well as a few government sources seem to point out to a failure of Bt Cotton in providing any benefits to farmers on the promised fronts whereas the company and its commissioned reports point out to something else. This brings us to an oft-pointed out issue about the system and mechanisms of decision-making, monitoring and review of GE crops in this country.

GEAC, which had originally met on the 4th of March, 2005 to decide on the fate of Mahyco Bt Cotton varieties in India had now postponed its decision-making to April 13th 2005. In spite of having to defer its decision on Bt Cotton in south and central India, GEAC decided to approve six more varieties of Bt Cotton for commercial cultivation in northern India in its March 4th meeting and was severely criticised for it.

In this context, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture once again demands that approvals of Bt Cotton be revoked until a comprehensive, accurate, scientific and fair assessment of the ground level situation is taken up and accountability mechanisms fixed for the losses incurred by Bt Cotton farmers so far.


For more information, contact:

1. Dr G V Ramanjaneyulu, CSA: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2. Ms Kavitha Kuruganti, CSA: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Centre for Sustainable Agriculture
12-13-445, Street No 1
Tarnaka
Secunderabad 500 017
Phone: +91-40-27017735/27014302
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


Annexure 1:

BT COTTON OR BURY-THE-TRUTH COTTON?

Monsanto India Ltd (in its Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech India Ltd [MMB] avatar) is spinning its Bury-the-Truth stories yet again, on the eve of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee’s crucial meeting on April 13th 2005 to decide on an extension or otherwise of the three Mahyco “Bollgard” Bt Cotton varieties approved for commercial cultivation in 2002. These three varieties MECH 12 Bt, MECH 162 Bt AND MECH 184 Bt were give a 3-year conditional approval for commercial cultivation in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Despite several independent reports from across the country reporting that there have been no significant benefits with Bt Cotton and that there is indeed a net loss that many farmers incur with this transgenic crop, the company is coming up with very questionable data, ostensibly in the form of a survey done by IMRB International.

Based on this survey, MMB claims that Bt Cotton had helped farmers in this country earn an additional income of Rs. 770 crores during 2004.
* This is supposed to be due to savings on pesticides of nearly Rs. 1200/- an acre (average number of sprays on Bt Cotton is supposed to be 1.73, down from 6.24 sprays per acre).
* It also claims that the average increase in yields in Bt Cotton 2.95 quintals per acre (8.02 quintals in Bt Cotton and 5.07 quintals in non-Bt hybrids).
* Therefore, the average profit per acre is supposed to be Rs. 9610/- for Bt Cotton and Rs. 3660/- for non-Bt hybrids. The average additional profit is around Rs. 5950/- per acre, according to IMRB.

Of the 13 lakh acres grown last year of Bt cotton, 9 lakh acres was supposed to be under the Jalna based Mahyco and 4 lakhs under the Salem-based Rasi Seeds company.

Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, through its own findings from Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh would like to question MMB and IMRB on their findings.

1. If the average number of sprays on non-Bt hybrids is around 6.24, how does that translate into only Rs. 1412/- per acre? Especially given that most farmers are using high-value, low-volume pesticides like “Tracer”, “Avaunt” and “Confidor”?
2. Within Bt Cotton, claiming that the number of sprays to be only 1.73 times, with a difference of nearly 4.5 sprays is highly questionable since even Monsanto’s earlier surveys have not ever pointed to pesticide savings of this magnitude! Also, the average pesticide use per acre from other reliable sources on an average is vastly different .
3. We wonder if the cost of these 1.73 number of sprays (which worked to be a ridiculously low average cost of Rs. 275/- per acre for Bt Cotton) included the “Free Tata Mida” pesticide that was supplied along with Mahyco-12 Bt. Each of these FREE pesticides of 50 ml capacity costs Rs. 100/- in the market. Just in AP, 93374 packets of MECH 12 Bt were sold in Kharif 2004 with which this FREE gift of a pesticide was given to farmers. If this cost is included in pesticide cost on Bt Cotton, this works out to Rs. 93,37,400/- (ninety three lakhs of rupees) for just the MECH 12 packets sold in AP.
4. In AP, in the second year (Kharif 2003), just bollworm control costs in Bt Cotton were reported to be Rs. 1369/- per acre as per AC Nielsen/ORG-MARG. For Kharif 2004, it is inexplicable how the total cost of pesticides in Bt Cotton works out to Rs. 283/acre.
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A comparative picture in Andhra Pradesh:

Crop Life Asia's data on pesticides in Cotton Mahyco's Survey of 2002-03 MMB’s AC Nielson Study of 2003-04 MMB's IMRB survey 2004-05 CSA’s Bt Cotton Vs NPM Cotton study 2004-05
67 trials by VRTI/Excel, 1998-2001 Bt Cotton Non-Bt hybrids Bt Cotton [n=1672] Non-Bt Hybrids [n=1391] Bt Cotton Non-Bt Hybrids Bt Cotton [n=117] NPM Cotton [n=121]
Pesticide Sprays NA 2.08 4.81 3.6 5.2 1.73 6.24 3.5 NIL
Cost of Pest management Rs. 2516/- NA NA Rs. 1369 (just on bollworm) Rs. 3225 (on boll-worm only) Rs. 283/- Rs.2370/- Rs. 2632 Rs. 382
Total cost of cultivation Rs. 5977/- NA NA NA NA NA NA Rs. 9207 Rs. 5253
Average Yields 5.04 qtls 8.55 qtls 6.01 qtls 10.14 8.16 7.33 qtls 5.02 qtls 6.43 qtls 4.85 qtls
Average Net Income NA NA NA* NA NA** Rs.5649 Rs. 867 Rs. 2656 Rs. 3695

* A difference of Rs. 6978/acre, in favour of Bt cotton in terms of Net Income is projected for Year 1.
** A difference of Rs. 5138/- per acre, in favour of Bt Cotton in terms of Net Income is given for Year 2.

In terms of Savings on average number of pesticide sprays, the company survey in the first year showed decrease of 2.73 sprays with Bt Cotton; In Year 2, the reduction was put at 1.6. In Year 3, it has been put at 4.51!
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Annexure 2 (Extracts):

Decisions taken in the 52nd Meeting of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) held on 4th March 2005.

The 52nd Meeting of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee was held on 4th March 2005 in the Ministry of Environment and Forests under the Chairmanship of Shri Suresh Chandra, Special Secretary & Chairman GEAC.

Before taking up the items on the Agenda for the meeting, the Committee considered the request from Center for Sustainable Agriculture & State Government of Punjab and given an opportunity to present their views and experience with Bt Cotton. The Committee also considered the representations received from Bharat Krishak Samaj & Greenpeace.

DECISIONS

A. Transgenic crops (commercial release)

1.0 Renewal of GEAC permission for commercialization of three Bt. Cotton hybrids namely MECH 12 Bt, MECH 162 Bt, and MECH 184 Bt containing with Cry 1 Ac gene developed by M/s Mahyco in Central and South zones.

1. The Committee noted that GEAC in its 32nd meeting held on 26.3.2002 had approved three Bt cotton varieties namely- MECH 12 Bt, MECH 162 Bt, and MECH - 184 Bt containing cry 1 A(c) gene MON 531 developed by Mahyco for commercial cultivation for a period of three years subject to compliance of certain conditions. Since the validity of the clearance expires in April 2005, the company has approached the GEAC for renewal of the GEAC clearance date 5th April 2002.

2. The Committee gave an opportunity to M/s Mahyco for presenting their case. The representatives of M/s Mahyco made a presentation on their experience with respect to performance of Bt Cotton and action taken on the compliance. To a query on whether the Bt variety is resistant to bollworm complex or only effective against American Bollworm it was clarified that Bt cotton is tolerant to Bollworm and not resistant. Over the period of approval good control of spotted bollworm as well as pink bollworm has been observed. However, as Bt cotton is not resistant there is a need to undertake sprays if the ETL level has been reached.

3. On the issue of higher yield obtained in Bt cotton, it was clarified that Bt cotton gives higher yield due to savings in the yield loss occurring because of bollworm damage. Though the higher yields are in a broad range, the average increase in the range of 29-30% over the non-Bt cotton hybrids has been observed during the period of approval.

4. Regarding the failure of Bt cotton crop in Andhra Pradesh and Government’s directive to the company to pay compensation, it was clarified that the performance of Bt cotton has been satisfactory in the state of Andhra Pradesh. This is reflected in the total area coverage over the last few years. The sale of Bt cottonseed over the period of approval has increased from 2853 acres in the year 2000 to an area of 28070 acres in 2004 and is expected to further increase to 100000 acres in Kharif 2005. Regarding the compensation issue, the company would be responsible for factors, which can be attributed to its product as per the MOU, and they cannot be held responsible for other extraneous factors outside its control. The Company further informed that appropriate steps have been taken by them to respond to the request for compensation.

5. To a query as to why the sale in Tamilnadu is lower in 2004 over the previous years, it was stated that the sales are lower due to drought conditions prevailing during the sowing period. The Company was also requested to comment on the deleterious soil effect because of Bt cotton use. It was stated that they have not seen the report and would not be able to comment at this stage. However extensive tests have been done by the Company to find out the effect on soil and in all the studies no adverse effects have been reported. Studies have been conducted by Mahyco for three years (2000-2002) in different districts of Andhra Pradesh (Adilabad, Medak, Warangal and Nalgonda). Regarding the lower yield of MECH-162 during the trials in Karnataka state, it was clarified that the expression of low /high yield is a function of many more factors beside the germplasm.

6. After detailed deliberation, the Committee noted that, on the various issues raised by NGOs, most of the issues were relating to Warangal District. The Committee further noted that agriculture is a State subject and no adverse reports on the performance of Bt cotton have been received from any of the State Governments in the six states where Bt cotton is under cultivation. However, before taking a final view, the Committee opined that views of the State Government of Andhra Pradesh need to be obtained, especially on the allegation made by Greenpeace regarding the doctoring of the yield data at Narasampet mandal in Warangal district. It was agreed that a time frame of three weeks may be given to AP Government for clarifying the above issue and the proposal may be placed before the GEAC in the next meeting for taking a final view.

2.0 Permission for commercialization of A-651 Bt. and A-2534 Bt. with Cry 1 Ac gene in the North Zone and bulk Seed production by M/s Ankur Seeds Ltd.
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3.0 Permission for commercialization of MRC 6301 Bt and MRC 6304 Bt with Cry 1 Ac gene in the North Zone by M/s Mahyco.
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4.0 Permission for commercialization of RCH 134 Bt and RCH - 317 Bt in the North Zone by M/s Rasi Seeds.

1. The Committee noted that these companies have transferred their proprietary Bt. Cotton hybrids (Ankur 651 Bt, Ankur 2534Bt. MRC 6301 Bt , MRC 6304 Bt , RCH 134 Bt and RCH 317 Bt ) with cry 1 Ac gene (Mon 531 event ) along with gene cassette through traditional back crossing method. Of the six hybrids under consideration, the Department of Agriculture and Co-operation of Ministry of Agriculture have notified Ankur 651 on 1.1.1996.

2. The Member Secretary informed that the GEAC in its 41st meeting held on 15.4.2004 had accorded approval for conduct of large Scale trials of the six hybrids in the North Zone at 80 representative locations per genotype per zone based on the findings of the contained field trials and recommendations made by MEC and RCGM. As requested by GEAC the large-scale field has been evaluated by the MEC. The MEC in its meeting held on 18.1.2005 has recommended that the above hybrids be considered for commercial cultivation in the North Zone. The MEC has also stated that these hybrids are resistance to CLCV and very much fit in the desired cotton cultivation practiced in the North Zone.

3. The Committee also took into consideration the results of the two year ICAR trials and recommendations by ICAR. The Committee noted that the incidence of the CLCV disease being higher at Sriganganagar as compared to other locations, the data for this region may be taken into consideration as a worst case scenario. The Committee deliberated at length the issue of CLCV in North region and concluded that both in terms of yield and resistance to CLCV, the six hybrids under consideration were superior to the local check and its respective non-Bt counterpart.

4. While discussing the proposals, the Committee deliberated on the need or otherwise for two years of large-scale trials under GEAC for notified/un-notified varieties. The Member Secretary clarified that this issue was discussed while according approvals for large scale trials in Kharif 2004 wherein the view taken was that one year of large scale trials was adequate for notified varieties, however for un notified varieties, the need for second year trials would be based on the results of the first year trials. Further to ensure that various agro-climatic zones are represented adequately, the number of large-scale trials was increased to 80 locations/genotype per zone. No specific stipulations for 2 years of trials was stipulated by GEAC. In view of the above and taking into consideration the results of large scale trials, recommendation of MEC and results of 2 year ICAR trials, the Committee concluded that one year of large scale trials under GEAC is adequate in the case.

5. After detailed deliberations and taking into consideration the recommendation of MEC and results of ICAR trials the GEAC accorded approval for commercial cultivation of Ankur 651 Bt, Ankur 2534Bt. MRC 6301 Bt, MRC 6304 Bt, RCH 134 Bt and RCH 317 Bt for the North zone (Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan) for a period of 2 years subject to the following conditions:-

a. The applicant should look for the incidence of sucking pests on these hybrids and carry out artificial screening for CLCV resistance.
b. The post release monitoring with specific reference to CLCV should be carried out by the State Department of Agriculture through the State Agriculture Universities and results of Kharif 2005 should be placed before the GEAC for further evaluation before the hybrids are taken up for commercial cultivation for the second year (Kharif 2006).

B. Transgenic crops (Large scale trials subsequent to RCGM trials and MEC Evaluation)

5.0 Permission for large scale field trial of MRC 6025 BG- 1 and MRC-6029 BG I with Cry 1 Ac gene and seed production in the North Zone by M/s Mahyco.
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6.0 Request for large-scale trials of RCH 314 Bt and RCH 308 Bt with Cry 1 Ac gene in the North Zone and seed production by M/s Rasi Seeds Pvt. Limited .
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7.0 Permission for large-scale trials of NCS 138, NCS-570 and NCS 913 with Cry 1 Ac gene and seed production in North Zone by M/s. Nuziveedu seeds Ltd.

1. These companies have transferred their proprietary Bt. Cotton hybrids with cry 1 Ac gene (Mon 531 event ) along with gene cassette through traditional back crossing method.

2. The Companies have conducted multi-locational trials under RCGM during Kharif 2004. Out of the seven hybrids under consideration, the MEC in its meeting held on 18.1.2005 has recommended only six hybrids namely MRC 6025 BG-I , MRC 6029 BG-I , RCH 314 Bt, RCH 308 Bt , NCS 138, and NCS 913 for large-scale trials in the North Zone.

3. The Committee noted that above hybrids have undergone one year of ICAR trials under AICCIP during kharif 2004. However results of two years of ICAR trials is a requirement for commercials release.

4. The Committee noted that the hybrids under consideration have fulfilled the following requirements for its consideration for large scale field trials.

* Completion of Multi-locational field trials under RCGM
* Monitoring & Evaluation of the multi-locational trials by MEC
* Recommendation of MEC & RCGM on suitability of the hybrids for the North zone.

5. In view of the above stated facts and noting the findings of the contained field trials the GEAC approved large scale trials of MRC 6025 BG-I , MRC 6029 BG-I , RCH 314 Bt, RCH 308 Bt, NCS 138 and NCS 913 at 80 representative locations per genotype per zone and seed production in an area of 100 ha for each variety with the following conditions:

a) The applicant should look for the incidence of sucking pests on these hybrids during large-scale trials and also artificial screening for CLCV resistance.
b) The Agricultural Universities would be involved in the monitoring of large scale trials with specific reference to incidence of CLCuV.
c) Until an alternate mechanism for monitoring of large scale trials is established, these trials may be monitored by the MEC.

8.0 Permission for large scale trials of MRC-7017 BG-II , BG - 7025 BG II and MRC 7031-BGII containing Cry X gene (s) (Cry 1 Ac & Cry 2 Ab) in the North Zone & seed production by M/s Mahyco.

1. The Company has conducted multi-locational trials under RCGM during Kharif 2004. These trials have been evaluated by the MEC. Out of the three hybrids under consideration, the MEC in its meeting held on 18.1.2005 has recommended only MRC-7017 BG-II and MRC 7031-BGII for large-scale trials in the North Zone. The MEC has also desired that the applicant should look for the incidence of sucking pests on these hybrids during large-scale trials and also artificial screening for CLCV resistance. The Committee was of the view that the recommendation of MEC should be applicable for all hybrids approved for the North zone.

2. The Committee noted that the hybrids under consideration have fulfilled the following requirements for its consideration for large scale field trials.

* Completion of Multi-locational field trials under RCGM
* Monitoring & Evaluation of the multi-locational trials by MEC
* Recommendation of MEC & RCGM on suitability of the hybrids for the North zone

3. In view of the above stated facts and noting the findings of the contained field trials and recommendation of MEC, the GEAC approved large scale trials of MRC-7017 BG-II and MRC 7031-BGII at 80 representative locations per genotype per zone, ICAR trials and seed production in an area of 50 ha for each variety subject to the following conditions.
a) The applicant should look for the incidence of sucking pests on these hybrids during large-scale trials and also artificial screening for CLCV resistance.
b) The Agricultural Universities would be involved in the monitoring of large scale trials with specific reference to incidence of CLCuV.
c) Until an alternate mechanism for monitoring of large scale trials is established, these trials may be monitored by the MEC

C. Transgenic crops (Direct GEAC Large scale trials)

9.0 Permission for large-scale trials of ACH 11 - 1 and ACH-155-1 with Cry 1 Ac gene in the North Zone by M/s Ajeet Seeds.
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10.0 Permission for large scale trials of BCHH - 6317 Bt and HE- 563 Bt with Cry 1 Ac gene in the North Zone and seed production by Bioseed Research India Pvt. Ltd.
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11.0 Permission for large scale trials of Ankur-2226 BG, Sita BG, Ankur 1286 BG and Jassi BG with Cry 1 Ac gene in the North Zone and seed production by M/s. Ankur Seeds.
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12.0 Permission of large-scale trials GK 206 Bt, GK- 207 Bt, GK-210 Bt with Cry 1Ac gene in the North Zone and seed production by M/s G.K. Seeds Pvt. Ltd.
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13.0 Permission for large-scale trials of BG I with Cry 1Ac gene in the North Zone and seed production by Krishidhan Seeds Ltd.

1. The Committee noted that these companies have transferred their proprietary Bt. Cotton hybrids with cry 1 Ac gene (Mon 531 event) along with gene cassette through traditional back crossing method. The present request is for direct entry into the GEAC large-scale trials.

2. The Member Secretary informed that the basis for this request is linked to the decision taken in the RCGM meeting held on 13th May 2004, wherein it was decided that Bt cotton hybrids containing Cry 1 Ac gene MON 531 event need not go to the RCGM for clearance regarding conduct of multi-locational field trials as the event has already been evaluated for its biosafety with diverse tests and the applicant should directly approach GEAC and ICAR for conduct of large scale trials and ICAR trials. In view of the decision taken by RCGM, the GEAC had taken a view that the hybrids may go for direct large-scale trials subject to the following case verification:

* Evidence that the same gene or its equivalent has been used.
* Measurement on the level of protein expression to confirm that the protein expression level is the same as that in the originally released variety.
* Evidence that transgenic variety is equivalent to the corresponding non-transgenic variety -Bt hybrids in the form of DNA fingerprinting.

3. After detailed deliberation, the Committee was of the view that none of the above companies have fulfilled the criteria of ‘case verification’ as enumerated in para 3 above and therefore their request cannot be considered. Further, no preliminary tests have been conducted to verify the suitability of theses hybrids in terms of its early maturity and resistance to CLCV for the northern region. The Committee, therefore, concluded that the proposals are pre-mature for consideration for large scale trials.

14.0 Permission for large scale trial of BCHH - 6317 - 2 BG II containing Cry X gene (s) (Cry 1 Ac & Cry 2 Ab) of Bt cotton hybrids for North Zone by Bioseed Research India Pvt. Ltd.

1. M/s. Bioseeds Research India Pvt. Ltd is a sub-licensee of Mahyco and has transformed their propriety Bt cotton hybrid with Cry X (Cry 1 Ac and Cry I Ab) gene along with gene cassette through traditional back crossing.

2. The Committee noted that multi-locational trials under RCGM have not been conducted and the present request is for direct entry into the large-scale trials under GEAC.

3. The Committee noted that the RCGM decision dated 13.5.2005 is only for approved events and therefore the criteria for direct entry into large-scale trials through ‘case verification’ would not be applicable in this case. The Committee therefore directed the applicant to approach RCGM for conduct of multi-locational trials. The Committee concluded that after evaluation of the contained trials by the MEC and RCGM the matter may be considered at the appropriate stage. Hence the GEAC rejected the request of the company.

Date of the Next GEAC Meeting: The next GEAC meeting would be held on 13th April 2005.

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For more information, contact Dr Ramanjaneyulu at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Kavitha Kuruganti <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>

kavitha kuruganti
(0)9393001550
centre for sustainable agriculture
12-13-445, street no 1, tarnaka, secunderabad 17
andhra pradesh, india