India adopts Event Based Approval System: Bt cotton to cover 81 LAKH acres in the country by 2006

This official press release announces the adoption of an “event based approval system” by India’s Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC). This will replace the case by case approval process presently used by the GEAC. This regulatory change is expected to speed up the introduction of new and diverse biotech products across the country. The GEAC has also decided to constitute an Expert Committee to look into comments received from NGOs and the public and submit recommendations to the GEAC.