Invite Suggestions/Views on "The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill 2013 & The Agricultural Biosecurity Bill 2013'"

Parliament of India

Rajya Sabha Secretariat

Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science & Technology, Environment & Forests

Suggestions/Views on "The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority  Of India Bill, 2013"

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1. "The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill, 2013" as introduced and pending in Lok Sabha has been referred to the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science & Technology, Environment & Forests, headed by Dr. T. Subbarami Reddy, M.P., Rajya Sabha for examination and report.

2. Modern biotechnology is recognised globally as a rapidly advancing science wherein advanced molecular techniques and processes are employed to develop useful products, processes and services in areas of agriculture, human and animal healthcare, environment management and industry. Biotechnology industry in India has, been growing at an average annual rate of twenty to thirty percent during the last five years and its turnover exceeded Rs. 20,440.00 crores approximately. There are, however, public concerns in respect of organisms and products derived from modern biotechnology on human, animal and environmental safety. Various countries have developed regulatory mechanisms to ensure safe and responsible use of biotechnology organisms and products. But in India, activities and processes involving the genetically engineered organisms and product thereof, are broadly regulated under the 'Rules for Manufacture, Use/Import/Export and Storage of hazardous Micro organisms/Genetically Engineered organisms or cells 1989' notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the guidelines published by the Department of Biotechnology. But despite the aforesaid rules and guidelines, India has experienced a number of challenges. A Task Force on the Application of Agriculture Biotechnology constituted by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2003 recommended establishment of an autonomous, statutory and professionally-led National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority which was supported by the other Task Force on recombinant pharma constituted by Ministry of Environment & Forests in 2004.

3. In pursuance of the recommendations of the above Task Forces, this Bill aims inter-alia at establishing an independent statutory regulator to be known as the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India, to regulate research, transport, import, manufacture and use of organisms and products of modern biotechnology to promote the safe use of modern biotechnology by enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of robust regulatory procedures.

4. The Committee has decided to invite Memoranda containing views/suggestions from individuals/organizations interested in the subject matter of the bill.

 5. Those desirous of submitting Memoranda to the Committee may send their written Memoranda either in English or Hindi to Shri Alok Chatterjee, Director, Rajya Sabha Secretariat, Room No. 005, Ground Floor, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi-ll0001. [Tel. No. 011-23034597, Fax No. 011-23015585 Email: rsc-st@sansad.nic.in] within thirty days from the date of publication of this advertisement. Those who are willing to appear before the Committee for oral evidence besides submitting the Memoranda may indicate so. However, the Committee's decision in this regard shall be final. The Memoranda submitted to the Committee would form part of the records of the Committee and would be treated as confidential and would enjoy privileges of the Committee. The Committee will have full right on Memoranda received. It mayor may not use those Memoranda while preparing the report.

6. The Bill has been published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary Part II dated the 22nd April, 2013. Copies ofthe Bill can be had on written request to the above mentioned officer or can be downloaded from the official website of the Rajya Sabha (http://rajyasabha.nic.in) under the caption "Bills with the Committees".

 

Website: http://rajyasabha.nic.in                                     Email: rsc-st@sansad.nic.in

 

Published on 11/06/2013

 

 

 

Parliament of India

Lok Sabha Secretariat

New Delhi

 

Departmentally Related Standing Committee on Agriculture

Invites Suggestions On 'The Agricultural Biosecurity Bill 2013'.

 

The Agricultural Biosecurity Bill, 2013' as introduced in Lok Sabha on 11 March, 2013 and pending therein has been referred to the Departmentally Related Standing Committee on Agriculture under the Chairmanship of Shri Basudeb Acharia, MP for examination and Report to the Parliament. The text of the Bill as introduced in Lok Sabha is available on the Website http://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in under the heading 'Legislation'. A copy of the Bill may also be obtained on request from the Committee on Agriculture Branch, Room Nos. 614/616, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi -110001.

The Agricultural Biosecurity Bill, 2013 proposes: -

a)      integration of plant and animal quarantine services;

b)      establishment of an Authority for prevention, control, eradication and management of pests and diseases of plants and animals and unwanted organisms for ensuring agricultural biosecurity;

c)      to meet international obligations of India for facilitating imports and exports of plants, plant products, animals, animal products, aquatic organisms and regulation of agriculturally important micro-organisms;

d)      prevention and control of pest infestation or infection, including declaration of an area as "controlled area" for this purpose and measures for control of such infestation or infection;

e)      provision for inspection, taking samples, entry and search of premises checking of conveyances to ensure compliance of phytosanitary and sanitary measures and also seizure, treatment and disposal of plants, animals and their products to prevent spread of pests by designated officers;

f)       declaration of biosecurity emergency in case of outbreak of orqanisms threatening biosecurity and actions and procedures to deal with it;

g)      removal of plant, animals, their products and other objects imported in violation of the provisions of the proposed legislation.

The Committee invites written memoranda containing suggestions/views comments of Experts/Stakeholders/ individuals/institutions/organizations interested in the subject matter of the Bill.

All those who are interested in submitting written memorandum may sent two copies thereof either in English or in Hindi to The Deputy Secretary (Agr.), Lok Sabha Secretariat, Room No. 616, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi, 110001, Tel No. 23034042, Fax No. 23018865, e-mail agricom@sansad.nic.in within three weeks from the date of publication of this advertisement. Those who wish to appear before the Committee, besides submitting memorandum, are requested to specifically indicate so. However, the Committee's decision in this regard shall be final.

The memorandum submitted to the Committee would form part of the records of the Committee and would be treated as strictly 'Confidential' and not circulated to anyone, as such an act would constitute a breach of privilege of the Committee.

 

Published on 07/06/2013