Mahyco Providing Technology Not GM Seeds to Bangladesh and the Philipppines

On 18 April 2011 Food and Beverage News reported that the Indian seed company, Mahyco does not currently have plans to export its gene-modified (GM) seeds to Bangladesh or the Philippines.  However, it will be providing technology assistance to scientists working on GM projects in these two countries.

This statement was made in response to various reports in the Indian media that the company intended to exports its GM seeds.  Currently, certain of Mayhco's GM seeds are banned from use in India.  Most notable of these are BT brinjal seeds.  The Philippines and Bangladesh are both considering field tests and the passage of regulations that would make planting these seeds legal. 

Mahyco public relations manager, Suryakant Mishra, noted that, "No GM seeds can be exported to other countries without the approval of the regulatory authorities of exporting and importing countries. Hence, there is no question of Mahyco exporting any GM seeds to any country without necessary approvals."

He did explain that Mahyco has "agreed to provide this technology to Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) and the University of Philippines Los Banos under the ABSP II programme for resource-poor farmers who are seeking regulatory approval from their respective governments to introduce Bt Brinjal."

For more see: "Mahyco has no intentions of exporting GM seeds," Food and Beverage News, 18 April 2011.