b"India's first gene bank was set up in 1996 by the Indianinternational initiatives, and assist SAARC and BRICS nations. Council of Agricultural Research-National Bureau of Plant GeneticWith threats like climate change and geopolitical challenges, this Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) in New Delhi. This bank is comprisedsafety duplicate ensures long-term food security and sustainability, of 12 regional stations across the country for collection and storagereaffirming Indias commitment to agricultural resilience.of vital crop germplasms. These germplasms are the genetic con-stituents of plants or animals that is used in research, conservation and crop breeding. STATUS MEXICOAs on Jan. 15, 2025, the bank currently stores 0.47 million accessions (plant material stored and used for breeding)accord- Mexicos lower house has enacted a constitutional ban on geneti-ing to the database maintained by ICAR-NBPGR. These includecally modified (GM) corn planting. This decision reinforces earlier cereals (0.17 million accessions), millets (more than 60,600 acces- restrictions, despite a prior ruling that deemed Mexicos GM corn sions), legumes (over 69,200 accessions), oilseeds (more than 63,500limitations scientifically unsubstantiated. accessions) and vegetables (nearly 30,000 accessions). The reform strengthens protections for native corn and tradi-The Ministry of Finance has announced the establishment oftional agriculture, aiming to uphold biosafety and safeguard the a second National GenBank in the 2025-26 budget to safeguardnations biocultural heritage.Indias agricultural biodiversity. This facility will house 10 lakh (1On Tuesday, March 18, Mexicos lower house of Congress million) germplasm lines, offering critical conservation support forapproved a constitutional reform banning the planting of geneti-both public and private sectors involved in genetic resource man- cally modified (GM) corn. Taking effect immediately, the ban stems agement. from efforts initiated by former President Andrs Manuel Lpez India, a biodiversity-rich nation, conserves over 811 cul- Obrador. A broader ban on GM corn had faced legal challenges, tivated crops and 902 wild relatives, playing a key role in globalespecially after a December 2024 trade dispute ruling. That ruling plant genetic resource (PGR) preservation. The National GenBank,found Mexicos GM corn restrictions violated the U.S.-Mexico-led by ICAR-NBPGR, safeguards 4.7 lakh accessions, supportingCanada Agreement (USMCA), citing a lack of scientific justifi-global conservation efforts. cation and unfair limitations on U.S. market access. In response, To enhance biodiversity protection, India is establishing aMexico lifted its import restrictions on GM corn for human con-second GenBank, reinforcing its leadership in PGR conservation.sumption, livestock feed, and industrial useimpacting roughly This facility will provide crucial backup for genetic diversity, support$5 billion in annual U.S. exports, primarily for animal feed. MAY 2025|SEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPEISEED WORLD EUROPE I 43"