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NEW DELHI, Nov. 8

PROAGRO Seed Company Pvt Ltd said on Friday that it was `disappointed' at the Centre's decision to defer approval for commercial cultivation of its genetically modified (GM) mustard hybrids.

``We are disappointed at this decision as it will result in a further delay in this yield-enhancing technology reaching mustard farmers of this country. This technology has already been in use in the United States and other countries'', a company statement said.

The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) under the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) had, in its meeting on Thursday, decided to defer the matter for 3-4 weeks, keeping in view the `multiple interpretation' of the field trial data pertaining to the bio-safety and agronomic aspects of the GM mustard hybrids.

The company release stated that ``we have submitted a comprehensive data package to GEAC, which covers all aspects related to biosafety and environmental safety related issues, as stipulated by the committee''. Further, ``should they still require more clarification on our data, we will be happy to respond''.

Proagro has sought GEAC clearance for three mustard hybrids — MT 95002, MT 95003 and MT 95005 — which, it claims, confer a 20 per cent yield advantage (around 300 kgs per hectare) over the currently best performing `check' varieties, including `Varuna' and `Kranti' developed by the ICAR. The company had, earlier in August 2001, been accorded permission by the GEAC to conduct large-scale trials of its GM hybrids.

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