Plea to not allow import of GM soybean meal

05-Feb-2026 08:59 PM

Indore: A leading industry body, the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA), has written to the Union Commerce Minister urging him not to allow the import of soybean meal made from genetically modified (GM) soybeans.

Similar requests have also been made to the Union Agriculture Minister, the Minister of Food and Civil Supplies, the Minister of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development, and the secretaries of the concerned ministries/departments. A press release issued by SOPA stated that this is a serious issue.

According to the SOPA chairman, although it has been heard that the poultry industry is demanding permission to import GM soybean meal, soybean producers and processors are expressing serious concerns about this and do not agree with the poultry industry's demand.

The country produces sufficient soybean meal to meet domestic demand and requirements. This matter is linked to the interests of millions of soybean farmers in India, therefore, the poultry industry's demand should not be accepted.

As far as soybean meal is concerned, its prices are determined by the market, not by the industry. The prices of soybean meal fluctuate in accordance with the domestic market prices of soybeans and the global market prices of soybean oil. If the import of GM soybean meal begins, indigenous farmers and millers will suffer heavy losses.