An environmental group has urged the government to disapprove the pending application of Bayer Crop Science, a foreign biotech firm, for the importation and release in the local market of genetically engineered rice (GE rice). Sister Aida Velasquez, coordinator of the Lingkod Tao-Kalikasan (LTK), said that the government, in particular the Bureau of Plant and Industry under the Department of Agriculture (DA), should not allow the entry of the Bayer-developed genetically engineered LLRICE 62 because it may pose serious health and environmental risks to the country.