The Indian government is preparing to establish a new regulatory agency in charge of regulating biotechnology product research, transport, import, manufacture and use, reports The Economic Times.

The new authority, tentatively known as the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI), would be established under a new draft bill before the Indian parliament. The agency, in addition to its other duties, would also be in charge of formulating a risk assessment and management process utilizing expert advisory councils composed of scientists and other experts, stakeholders and representatives of health ministries.

The BRAI's governing structure has already started to take shape in the legislation, reports The Economic Times. The current draft legislation has the agency with a "chairperson, two whole-time members and two part-time members," said Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries Harish Rawat.

Rawat also noted "no time frame can be given for establishment of the said authority at this stage."

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The Economic Times - Government prepares Bill to regulate bio-tech usages