Browse Data and Analysis

Sri Lanka does not produce genetically engineered (GE) crops or animals. Some GE research, however, occurs at the laboratory level, but that research does not reach commercialization.

India remains undecided on genetically engineered (GE) crops, despite its regulatory authorities clearing on the environmental release of GE eggplant and mustard events. Bt cotton (Bacillus thuringiensis) is the only biotech crop approved for commercial cultivation.

The Turkish cotton crop for Marketing Year (MY) 2021/22 is forecast at 450,000 hectares and 825,000 metric tons (MT; 3.79 million bales). Cotton consumption is expected to be 1,850,000 MT (8.50 million bales) for the same MY.

On November 17, 2021, the European Commission published a proposal for legislation aimed at preventing products causing deforestation or forest degradation from entering the EU market.

Hungary is one of the strongest opponents of agricultural biotechnology in the European Union. Maintaining the country’s GE-free status is still a government priority.

There are no significant changes to the agricultural biotechnology situation in the Czech Republic in 2021. The country generally maintains a scientific approach towards biotechnology.

Public rejection of genetically engineered (GE) plants in Germany is widespread. There is no commercial GE crop production and practically no foods labeled as containing “genetically modified organisms” (“GMO”) on the market.

Cotton continues to be the only genetically engineered (GE) crop approved for cultivation and use. Regulatory uncertainty prevents life science companies from seeking approval for any other GE crops, and the National Biosafety Committee is still developing regulations on imports of GE commodities intended for food, feed, and processing.

On November 3, 2021, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published Order No. 12014/01/2020-QA listing the testing fees for samples of various categories of food products.

On November 3, 2021, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notified its Food Safety and Standards (Import) First Amendment Regulations (2021).

On September 6, 2021, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published the draft Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulations (2021) in the Gazette of India: Extraordinary (official gazette).

On October 22, 2021, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published Direction F. No. REF/L&D-Extension/FSSAI-2021, extending the implementation date for Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and Display) Regulations (2020), as well as for three other regulations.