India will allow imports of genetically modified soyoil without government approval until further notice, the commerce ministry said on its Web site. After warnings from environmental and health lobby groups.
India said in 2006 that imports of GM foods or animal feed would need prior permission from the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, an arm of the Environment Ministry.
But following requests from trade bodies, the government deferred the implementation of the order for soyoil and has extended the stay several times. It was due to expire on December 31. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade, in a statement dated December 27, said GM soyoil could be brought to India until it issued further orders.
India, a leading buyer of cooking oils, annually consumes about 10 million tonnes of edible oils, with imports contributing about half. The country also imports non-edible oils such as vanaspati or hydrogenated oil and crude palm starin or CPS to make soaps. It buys palm oil from Malaysia and Indonesia, and soyoil from Brazil and Argentina.