APEDA May Hold Talks with China Regarding GMO Rice Issue

30-Apr-2026 04:09 PM

New Delhi. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)—an agency functioning under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry—has been informed by the Union Ministry of Environment and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) that the production, trade, import, and use of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) rice have not been permitted within the country. Consequently, rice exported from India remains entirely outside the scope of the GMO category.

Buoyed by this clarification and positive information, APEDA is now preparing to raise the issue of GMO rice with China. It is noteworthy that China had rejected certain consignments of Indian rice, claiming that they contained traces of GM rice. Furthermore, it revoked the licenses of three Indian exporters, thereby rendering them unable to ship rice consignments to China.

Armed with comprehensive evidence and clarifications, APEDA is now planning to challenge the decision taken by the Chinese government. In an office memorandum sent to APEDA on April 28, the Ministry of Environment stated that the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)—the regulatory body for GM crops—has not granted any form of permission regarding GM rice in India.

Prior to this, APEDA had sent a letter to the Ministry requesting a clarification on this matter. Earlier, on April 23, the ICAR had also sent a letter to APEDA on this subject, stating that the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has not recommended the commencement of commercial cultivation of any GM rice (paddy) in the country; therefore, the question of granting permission for the same does not arise. Moreover, no research work pertaining to GMO rice is currently being conducted anywhere within the country.