New Delhi -- Taking the first step towards a policy on genetically-modified food, the government had its first inter-ministerial consultations on the issue Wednesday. It's decided to set up sub-committees to examine the different issues.

Chaired by Sushma Choudhary, new genetic engineering approval committee (GEAC) chief and additional secretary in the environment ministry, the meeting was attended by representatives from the ministries of external affairs, agriculture, food processing, commerce, industry and biotechnology as well as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

On the table were five items. First, and foremost, a clear enunciation of the government's policy on GM crop and food. Two, what each department should do when it comes to evaluating genetically-modified organisms, and how they should coordinate.

Three, the need to build capacity and strengthen institutions and agencies to detect GM ingredients in consignments and develop mechanisms for testing. Four, the possible operational mechanism for risk assessment and post-approval monitoring. Five, mechanisms for enhancing public awareness and introducing transparency in assessment and monitoring processes the latter is something activists have been demanding.

The policy gap surfaced after GEAC deferred a decision on permitting commercial cultivation of transgenic mustard and then rejected import of corn-soya blend coming in as food aid because it was suspected to contain GM corn. Officials, setting the process rolling with consultations which lasted two hours, are keen to clarify the position of each ministry, and the possibilities under existing rules and laws. They hope to seek written feedback from each ministry before deciding on the number of sub-committees, and their mandate.

Experts could be inducted as well. Ideally, GEAC should know the government's position on at least the dozen or more GM crops on which research is being conducted: Do benefits outweigh risks? Does the increase in yield outweigh possible environmental risks to local species of the same crop? Should GM crops be grown in areas which have local species of the same crop, since India is a megadiverse country and a centre of origin for several species of rice, mustard, pulses, etc? Policies on all this would help direct research and give firms a ready reckoner on what to expect if they invest in research on a crop.

For example, MP and Chhattisgarh are home to about 40 species of rice, say officials. Should GM rice, if it comes, be permitted there? Even the US and China, say officials, restrict GM crops in areas which have local species.ICMR, in particular, has been wary of GM food, concerned that most studies so far seem limited to initial food safety evaluation and allergenicity tests. There is, it seems, very little data on health monitoring after GM food has been introduced.

So, even if the government has a case-by-case policy, what are the issues which need to be looked at each time, and what are the mechanisms which need to be set in place? Who is supposed to do what, since GEAC or the ministry servicing it, environment, certainly don't have the expertise or the manpower to deal with the whole paraphernalia of checking, verifying, certifying, monitoring health impacts, labelling, even analysing the impact on trade and other international agreements.