According to a government order, India has approved the import of an additional 5,50,000 tonnes of genetically modified (GM) soymeal to aid the poultry industry, which is suffering from a spike in local prices of the important animal feed.
According to the government order, the shipments must be imported before September 30. After animal feed prices tripled in a year to a record high, the government relaxed import rules in August 2021 to allow the first shipments of 1.2 million tonnes of GM soymeal to help the poultry industry.
Deals are signed by traders
Before the deadline for overseas purchases expired on October 31, 2021, traders were able to sign deals for only about 6,50,000 tonnes of soymeal, compared to the allowed 1.2 million. The government has now approved the importation of the remaining 5,50,000 tonnes of GM soymeal.
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The All India Poultry Breeders Association had requested that the government allow imports of 5,50,000 tonnes of feedstuff in 2021. The Soybean Processors Association of India, which is opposed to allowing more GM soymeal to be imported, said the government should not allow any lab-altered feedstuff because the country does not allow farmers to grow any GM food products.
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