Correct Option
Statement-I is incorrect. India imports apples from the United States of America. While there was a period of reduced imports due to retaliatory tariffs imposed in 2019, these tariffs were removed by India in September 2023. Consequently, imports of U.S. apples to India resumed and increased thereafter.
Statement-II is correct. In India, the import of Genetically Modified (GM) food products is subject to prior approval from competent authorities. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), operating under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is the primary body responsible for regulating the import, manufacture, use, research, and release of genetically engineered organisms and products. Additionally, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is involved in the approval process for GM food items to ensure food safety standards.
Since Statement-I is incorrect and Statement-II is correct, option (4) is the correct choice.
Incorrect Options
Option (1) is incorrect because Statement-I is incorrect. India does import apples from the USA, especially after the removal of retaliatory tariffs in 2023.
Option (2) is incorrect because Statement-I is incorrect. Only Statement-II is correct.
Option (3) is incorrect because Statement-I is incorrect, not correct, and Statement-II is correct.