India allowed imports of GM soy meal for the first time to help the poultry industry.
Besides the Nhava Sheva Port in Mumbai, traders could now import soy meal via the Mumbai Sea Port, the Tuticorin Sea Port, and the Visakhapatnam Sea Port.
The imports could take place from countries like Argentina, Europe and the US
Soymeal is a protein-rich solid leftover raw material after extracting oil from soyabean seed.
There are three types of GM foods, one with Genetically Modified Organism (GMO), second with Living Modified Organism (LMO) and third with Non-Living Modified Organism (NLMO).
The soymeal is NLMO.
GM crops
A GM or transgenic crop is a plant that has a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology.
GM crop can contain a gene(s) that has been artificially inserted instead of the plant acquiring it through pollination.
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body that allows for commercial release of GM crops.
Use of the unapproved GM variant is punishable under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the authorised body to regulate the imported crops in India.