**Summary:**
This document addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2560, to be answered on August 5th, 2025, regarding the potential approval for commercial cultivation of Herbicide Tolerant Bt (HTBt) cotton in India. The question was directed to the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, responded that a proposal for the environmental release of Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex (BGII RRF), also known as HTBt cotton, is currently under consideration by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). The GEAC is the competent authority for appraising proposals related to the release of genetically engineered organisms and products into the environment, including experimental field trials, as per the Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989, notified under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Key Entities Referenced
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE: A department of the Government of India responsible for agricultural research and education.
Genetic Engineering Approval Committee GEAC: A committee responsible for issuing approvals for the commercial cultivation of Herbicide tolerant Bt HTBt cotton in the country.
Herbicide tolerant Bt HTBt cotton: A genetically modified cotton variety that is tolerant to herbicides.
SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY: The Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex BGII RRF: Also referred to as HTBt Cotton, is under consideration with Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee GEAC.
Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee GEAC: The competent authority for appraisal of proposals relating to release of genetically engineered organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.
Environment Protection Act, 1986: The act under which the Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous MicroorganismsGenetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989, were notified.
LOK SABHA: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding approval for commercial cultivation of herbicide tolerant Bt cotton was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2560
TO BE ANSWERED ON 5TH AUGUST, 2025
APPROVAL FOR COMMERCIAL CULTIVATION OF HERBICIDE TOLERANT BT COTTON
2560. COM. SELVARAJ V:
SHRI SUBBARAYAN K:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृषि और ककसान कल्याण
मंत्री be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the Government is considering a proposal to issue mandatory
approval by Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) for the commercial cultivation of
Herbicide tolerant Bt (HTBt) cotton in the country; and
(b) if so, the details and the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृषि और ककसान कल्याण राज्य मंत्री (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)
(a) & (b): A proposal for environmental release of Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex (BG-II
RRF), also referred to as HTBt Cotton, is presently under consideration with Genetic
Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). As per Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import,
Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells,
1989, notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, GEAC is the competent authority
for appraisal of proposals relating to release of genetically engineered organisms and products
into the environment including experimental field trials.
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