Pakistan Approves GM Sugarcane and GM Cotton for Commercialization and GM Canola for Food, Feed, and Processing

The National Biosafety Committee (NBC) has approved Pakistan's first genetically modified (GM) sugarcane and advanced cotton varieties for commercialization during NBC's 35th meeting at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC). Chaired by the Secretary of the Climate Change Ministry, the meeting was attended by the Director General of Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency and other senior officials and experts.

The Committee approved two environment-friendly sugarcane lines, CABB-IRS and CABB-HTS. The field and laboratory trials confirmed that the lines are safe for humans, animals, and the environment, with no toxic residues and no risk of gene flow. Additionally, the lines completed the Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) testing by the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department and will now undergo National Uniform Yield Trials (NUYT) under the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council.

The NBC also approved two GM cotton varieties: CEMB-AAS3 from the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), Lahore and NIBGE-1601 from the National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad. These cotton lines carry genes conferring resistance to bollworms and armyworms, as well as tolerance to herbicides and Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCuV).

The Committee also granted import permission for 43 GM canola events for food, feed, and processing (FFP). These GM canola varieties have traits, such as herbicide tolerance, phytase enzyme production, and improved fatty acid composition, which feature high oleic acid levels for heart health. The Committee's approvals mark Pakistan's continued progress in biosafety governance and responsible adoption of biotechnology to advance sustainable agriculture and food security.

For more information, read Press Release No. 223 from the Press Information Department of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of Pakistan.