Governing Bodies   
National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority (NBRA)
Keeping in view the rapid strides being taken in the area of agro- and food biotechnology research and application, there is a need for setting up a National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority. NBRA should be chaired by an eminent biotechnologist well known for expertise in biotechnology and bio safety assessment. NBRA should have a wing for Agricultural Biotechnology. The Agricultural Biotechnology Regulatory Wing may have five part-time Members dealing with the following areas.

  •   Member (Agriculture ie, crop and animal husbandry, fisheries and forestry)
  •   Member (Health) and Food Safety 
  •   Member (Environment)
  •   Member (Social and Gender Audit)
  •   Member (IPR and Legal Affairs - obligations under international protocols and national legislation)

The National Biotechnology
Regulatory Authority may review the different protocols from time to time. NBRA will also be responsible for setting up policy guidelines and ensuring need based periodical evaluation of regulatory mechanism. NBRA should have a Standing Advisory Committee consisting of nominees of State Governments, so as to maintain close liaison with State Governments in matters relating to the release and monitoring of GM strains of crops, farm animals and fish.

The NBRA should be autonomous and professionally led but could be attached for necessary administrative support to an appropriate Ministry/Department.

The NBRA should submit an Annual Report to Government on the status of GM crop varieties submitted for approval for commercial cultivation. Such a report should contain a synoptic overview of the situation relating to GM crops and foods worldwide.Since agriculture is a state subject it will be desirable to establish a State Agricultural Biotechnology Regulatory Advisory Board in each State to maintain liaison with NBRA and to ensure that steps are taken to prevent the illegal release and proliferation of GM seeds. The State Agricultural Biotechnology Regulatory Advisory Board will also take steps to ensure that farmers are properly educated on the raising of refugia and the adoption of IPM procedures, so that the pest resistance properties of GM crops do not break down. It can also help to supervise the trials conducted with GM strains within the State.

Since India is a large and agro-ecologically diverse country, it is desirable that Agricultural Biotechnology Advisory Committees are set up at the district levels. The three  tier regulatory structure thus consists of:

  • National Level:National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority (with a separate wing for Agricultural Biotechnology)
  • State Level:State Agricultural Biotechnology Regulatory Advisory Board
  • District Level:Biotechnology Risk Assessment and Communication Committee

The national level Agricultural Biotechnology Regulatory Authority will be largely concerned with genetically modified crops, animals and fishes resulting from recombinant DNA technology. The State and District level structures should however also promote actively the non-GM applications of biotechnology like the manufacture and sale by self-help groups of biofertilizers, biopesticides, botanical pesticides, vermiculture, etc. District level Agricultural Biotechnology Risk Assessment and Communication Committees can help to establish Genome Clubs in Schools, Colleges and Krishi Vigyan Kendras and promote genetic literacy in Panchayats. Since biodiversity is the feed stock for the biotechnology industry, the institutional structures at the above three levels should maintain close coordination with the National Biodiversity Authority, State Biodiversity Board and the local level Biodiversity Management Committee. This will enable the scientific conversion of agro-biodiversity into social upliftment through jobs and income.

Media Resource Centre for the Safe and Responsible Use of Biotechnology.There is need for a single window information centre on all aspects of GM crop varieties, bioethics, biosafety and biodiversity legislation like the Biodiversity Act and Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act. A Media Resource Centre needs to be organized by DAC and DARE to provide media with authentic and timely information relating to genetic modification in agriculture, medicine and industry. This could be linked to the recent initiative of DAC in the area of dedicated Krishi Radio Channel for general and dynamic farm information. A designated web site should also be created and operated by DAC.