Environment Minister Verrappa Moily on Thursday justified the clearance of the field trials of Genetically Modified crops, as approved by the Genetically Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) last year, saying it had been unduly pending with the Ministry of Environment and Forests. He was speaking to the press in connection with the decision taken during the 117th GEAC meeting held in April last year.

He said that though the final call on GM crops would be taken by the Supreme Court, there is no embargo on field trials by the apex court. A joint affidavit will be filed by the Environment Ministry and Agri-culture Ministry in this regard.

The Minister said: “I do not keep files pending, so while going through the papers, I found the minutes are not in conflict with the Supreme Court directives and hence cannot be left pending.” He further pointed out that GEAC is a statutory body and its decisions can not be held up on legal grounds. The committee is to meet again on March 21.

The Minister stressed there is no difference on the issue with his predecessors on the GM crop issue. The trials as per the GEAC decision can be held subject to conditionalities and after getting No Objection Certificate from the State Governments. Neither is there difference on this with any Parliament committee, he said.

The issue of the implementation of recommendations Kasturirangan committee on Western Ghats was discussed by the representatives from six States on Thursday. The Minister informed that two major apprehensions were expressed by the participants in this regard. One pertained to the nature of demarcation of Eco Sensitive Zone and its implication on the local communities living there.