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India’s fiber market is dominated by cotton, however, increased international demand for sustainable fibers is driving apparel and textile manufacturers to utilize hemp.

In 2024, the Pakistan government issued revised Biosafety Rules and Regulations, creating a system to request genetically engineered (GE) commodity imports for food, feed, and processing (FFP). As of mid-October 2024, importers had submitted several applications to import GE soybeans for FFP.

Over the past two decades, India’s political landscape continues to hinder the developments in agriculture biotechnology. Bt cotton (Bacillus thuringiensis) approved in 2002 remains the sole biotech-derived crop approved for commercial cultivation.

India remains undecided on genetically engineered (GE) crops and products derived from biotechnology (biotech) for food and feed use.

The Department of Plant Protection (DPP) stopped imports of genetically engineered (GE) soybeans and canola in late October 2022. DPP said that importers needed an import license from the Ministry of Climate Change (MOCC).

On November 21, 2022, the Government of India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notified its draft notification F.No. 1/Standards/GMO&F/Misc/FSSAI/2018 (November 18, 2022).

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) remains the sole crop derived from biotechnology (biotech) approved for commercial cultivation.

In 2022, after a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) completed the draft, the National Biosafety Committee (NBC) reviewed a policy on regulating imports of genetically engineered (GE) commodities for food, feed, and processing (FFP). The NBC sent the draft FFP policy to relevant Ministries for further review. Cotton remains the only GE crop approved for cultivation.

On May 2, 2022, the Ministry of Consumer, Food and Public Distribution, through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade announced approval for the importation of an additional 550,000 metric tons (MT) of soybean meal (including GE derived).

On November 15, 2021, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued draft regulations for Genetically Modified Organisms or Genetically Engineered Organisms, or Living Modified Organisms intended for direct use as food or for processing.

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.

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.