India may allow import of GM feed from US under trade deal

India may allow imports of some animal feed made from genetically modified US farm products as part of its push to strike a trade deal with Washington. The move would be a potential concession after New Delhi opposed shipments of GM corn and soybeans from the US in their pure form.

According to Bloomberg, the government may allow imports of some products used in animal feed, such as soybean meal and distillers dried grains, a byproduct of corn ethanol production.

Indian and U.S. officials have been in intense talks over the past few days to iron out differences in an attempt to strike a deal before the July 9 deadline for higher U.S. tariffs to go into effect. Earlier this week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the countries were “very close” to an agreement.

The world’s most populous country opposes imports of GM corn and soybeans and prevents local farmers from growing them. With a huge agricultural sector and farmers representing a key voting bloc, India remains cautious about imports that could compete with local production, reflecting concerns about rural livelihoods and food security.

The government currently does not allow GM crops to be grown. Commercial release of GM mustard was halted by a legal challenge in the country’s highest court in 2010, and the government has also rejected GM eggplant varieties.

However, India already meets about 60% of its vegetable oil demand through imports, including GM soybean and canola oils. The country is also the world’s second-largest cotton producer, with more than 90% of the crop genetically modified, the paper notes.

Tags: rapeseed, USA, soybean, India