Day 4
Agriculture & FoodSkim2024-12-31
MoEFCC Draft Rules on GEAC Conflict of Interest
What Happened
In December 2024, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) proposed amendments to the 1989 Rules governing genetically modified crops. The draft mandates that expert members of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) must disclose any direct or indirect conflicts of interest before evaluating matters. This regulatory update follows a July 2024 Supreme Court directive demanding greater transparency in India's GM crop policy.
Why It Matters
Mandating conflict-of-interest disclosures ensures objectivity and prevents undue corporate influence in the approval of genetically modified organisms. This builds public trust and strengthens the integrity of India's environmental and agricultural regulatory frameworks.
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