Question 15 from UPSC CSE 2024 - Current Affairs (Economic s)

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. Statement-I: India does not import apples from the United States of America.
2. Statement-II: In India, the law prohibits the import of Genetically Modified food without the approval of the competent authority.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Strategy: *   Evaluate each statement by considering recent trade news and regulatory frameworks.
*   **Statement-I:** This statement is incorrect. India resumed significant apple imports from the USA after retaliatory tariffs were removed in 2023-2024.
*   **Statement-II:** This statement is correct. India's GMO import laws legally require prior approval for genetically modified product imports.
*   Identify the option where Statement-I is incorrect and Statement-II is correct, using these factual bases.

Key Info: ## Apple Imports from the United States

*   India has a history of importing apples from various countries, including the USA.
*   Trade was disrupted in 2019 when India imposed a 20% retaliatory tariff on US apples after the US ended India's benefits under the GSP program.
*   In September 2023, India removed this retaliatory tariff following trade negotiations. As a result, US apple exports to India surged in 2024.
*   The US is a major apple producer, and India is a significant consumer and importer.

## Genetically Modified (GM) Food Import Regulations in India

*   The import of GM food, feed, GMOs, and LMOs is primarily governed by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
*   The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, provides specific oversight.
*   Prior approval from GEAC is a strict legal requirement for importing any GM food product into India.
*   The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, also has a regulatory role.
*   Indian Customs require necessary clearances and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from FSSAI before allowing the import of food products, including genetically modified ones.
*   These regulations ensure bio-safety, public health, and environmental protection, aligning with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, to which India is a signatory.

### Authorities

*   **GEAC:** The nodal body for GM food approval in India, responsible for appraising activities involving large-scale use and imports of GM organisms and products.
*   **FSSAI:** The apex food regulator that also assesses risks posed by GM foods or ingredients.

### Contextual Recent Events

*   The removal of tariffs and ongoing regulatory scrutiny have impacted agricultural imports, including American apples, into the Indian market since late 2023.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect