India’s GM crop regulator has recommended the commercial use of genetically modified mustard in a submission to the Environment Ministry amid opposition by anti-GM groups.

In its submission, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, GEAC, the nodal regulator for Genetically Modified GM) crop, has given a positive recommendation, with certain conditions.

With its green signal, GEAC has pushed the hybrid plant developed by scientists at the Delhi University closer to becoming the country’s first edible GM crop.

The environment ministry has to now take a final call on this. RSS-affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) criticised the move saying allowing the commercial use of GM mustard would impact allied agri-activities.

Some anti-GM activists asserted that in okaying the commercial use of GM mustard, GEAC has yet again proven to be unscientific and uncaring to the health of citizens.

A Environment Ministry official told news agency PTI that GEAC yesterday reviewed a report of a sub-committee constituted to look into the safety angle of the commercial roll-out of GM mustard.