the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (geac) categorically rejected for the second time in five months a request by two North-based aid agencies to allow the import of 23,000 tonnes of genetically modified (gm) corn-soya blend into India. Permission was denied because it was felt that the consignment could be contaminated with a particular transgenic corn variety which causes allergies.

A geac meeting on March 6 turned down the plea as the Indian subsidiaries of the two agencies