India: Soybean association stands against the import of GM soybean Meal
The Indore-based Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) urged the Centre government not to allow the import of genetically modified (GM) soybean meal...
The Indore-based Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) urged the Centre government on Wednesday not to allow the import of genetically modified (GM) soybean meal.
SOPA claims that it would harm local processors and farmers because the country does not allow the cultivation of GM food crops.
"We understand that the poultry industry has asked the government to allow the import of GM soybean meal once more."
"The suggestion by some traders and the poultry industry to import more GM soybean meal will be completely counter-productive," SOPA Chairman Davish Jain wrote in a letter to Union Animal Husbandry Secretary Atul Chaturvedi.
- Jain stated that the poultry industry has projected a demand for 90 lakh tonnes (lt) of soybean meal, which is incorrect and unsupported by facts.
- "This inflated demand is being given only to make a case for imports," he said,
- adding that in September 2022, there would be a carryover stock of nearly 20 lt of uncrushed soybean.
- He believed that there was no justification for the importation of soybean meal.
- Higher soybean and soybean meal prices are a reality that must be accepted, attributing the increase to farmers' refusal to sell at the previous year's rates.
When asked why the industry hasn't become more competitive, SOPA's Executive Director, DN Pathak, stated that:
"GM soybeans are permitted in countries where productivity is much higher, but not in India."
He claims that
TO CONTINUE READING REGISTER IT IS COMPLETELY FREE
Access to articles in PDF
Keep up to date with our newsletters
Receive the magazine for free in digital version
REGISTRATION
ACCESS
YOUR ACCOUNT
LOGIN
Lost your password?
