Import of Soyabean Oil - relaxation extended
As per Condition 18 Chapter of 1A (General Notes Regarding Import Policy) of the ITC(HS) Classification
18. Import of Genetically Modified Food, Feed, Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs) and Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) will be subject to the following conditions :
(a) The import of GMOs / LMOs for the purpose of (i) R & D; (ii) Food; (iii) Feed; (iv) Processing in Bulk and (v) For Environment release will be governed by the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and Rules 1989.
(b) The import of any Food, Feed, raw or processed or any ingredient of food, food additives or any food product that contains GM material and is being used either for Industrial production, Environmental release, or field application will be allowed only with the approval of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC).
(c) Institutes / Companies who wish to import Genetically Modified material for R & D purposes will submit their proposal to the Review Committee for Genetic Modification (RCGM) under the Department of Bio-Technology. In case the Companies / Institutes use these Genetically Modified material for commercial purposes, approval of GEAC is also required.
(d) At the time of import all consignments containing products which have been subjected to Genetic Modification will carry a declaration stating that the product is Genetically Modified. In case a consignment does not carry such a declaration and is later found to contain Genetically Modified material, the importer is liable to penal action under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992.
As per Notification No. 54 (RE-2006)/2004-2009 dated 13 th March, 2007, the above condition will not apply to import of Soyabean oil for the purpose of consumption after refining, till 31.12.2007. Before the yearend revelry could start, the DGFT has extended this concession “till further orders”
NOTIFICATION NO. , Dated: December 27, 2007