Area
China (Mainland)
Commodity Group
Oilseeds, oils and meals
Commodity
GM soybeans and rapeseed
Date
01/12/2019
Policy Category
Other
Policy Instrument
GMO policy
Description
Approved for importation two new GM-crops, including one soybean variety, and renewed existing import permits for four GM soybean varieties and three GM rapeseed varieties. The approvals would be valid for three years.
Notes
CHINA GMO policy: On 30 December, China approved for importation two GM-crops developed in the United States, including one soybean variety. Furthermore, import permissions for four GM soybean varieties and three GM rapeseed varieties were renewed. The latest approvals, which are valid for a three-year period, expand the opportunities for agricultural imports from the United States (see also above item on the US-China trade truce). Separately, the countrys Agriculture Ministry revealed plans to issue, for the first time, biosafety certificates for a number of locally developed GM crops including one GM soybean variety for domestic cultivation. To date, while research on GM varieties has been gradually derestricted, GM food grains were held back from commercial production due to consumer concerns over perceived health risks (see also MPPU Mar./May15, Sep.16, Jan.17 & Mar.19).
