AreaIndia

Commodity GroupOilseeds, oils and meals

CommodityMaize, wheat, rice, soybeans

Date01/08/2020

Policy CategoryOther

Policy InstrumentSeed/GMO policies

DescriptionIssued an interim order requiring traders to prove, from 1 January 2021 onward, that major imported crop products – including soybeans – are of non-GM origin, subsequently clarifying that the directive would not apply to processed food products prepared with the concerned commodities nor to products imported for use as animal feed.

NotesINDIA – GMO policy: On 21 August, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued an interim order requiring traders to declare, from 1 January 2021 onward, that major imported crop products – including maize, wheat, rice and soybeans – are not genetically modified and are of non-GM origin. The required GM-free certificates will have to be issued by the competent national authorities of exporting countries. Subsequently, the agency clarified that the new order will not apply to processed food products prepared with the concerned commodities nor to products imported for use as animal feed. The interim order is expected to lead to stricter inspection of imported consignments at Indian ports.