China plans to approve more genetically modified (GMO) varieties of corn produced by domestic companies, the Department of Agriculture said this morning.
The move came after Beijing proposed a revision of seed regulatory rules last month to pave the way for GMO crop approval. Senior policy makers are pushing for advances in biotech breeding, which are seen as key to ensuring food security.
The three new corn products will be manufactured by China National Tree Seed Corp and China Agricultural University, Hangzhou Ruifeng Biotech Co Ltd and Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Co Ltd, the ministry said in today's statement.
The plan to register the new maize varieties along with seven new GMO cotton products will be open for public comment until January 17, according to the notice posted on the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs website.
Approval is seen as an important step in the commercialization of GMO crops, but it is still unclear when the new products will be ready to launch.
Beijing has so far not allowed the cultivation of GMO soybeans or maize varieties, but allows them to be imported for use in animal feed.
Both Hangzhou Ruifeng, in which Yuan Longping High-Tech Agriculture Co Ltd owns 8%, and Beijing Dabeinong already have GMO maize properties that are recognized by the government as safe.
Source
Hansa Terminhandel GmbH
