September 29, 2014
China freezes approval of GMO soy
China has suspended processing the import approval for a genetically modified soy variety because of "low public acceptance" of GMOfood,sourcesprivy to the matter said.
The sources said it is the first time China''s Ministry of Agriculture has cited public opinion as a reason for the delay in the approval of a GMO crop.
The decision could fuel wider agribusiness concerns over an increasingly tough environment for GMO
crops in
China.
"Previously if the MoA decided not to approve a new product, it would be because of not enough data," said one of the sources, an industry executive, who did not want to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue.
The sources declined to identify the soybean variety involved. China accounts for about 60% of globally traded soybeans.
China currently allows the import of eight genetically modified soyproducts and 15 corn products, which are largely used in animal feed rather than for human consumption.
A GMO corn variety grown in the US, Syngenta''s MIR162, has not been approved for import by China, whichhas turned away almost 1 million tonnes of US corn cargoes since November 2013.
Analysts have cited China''s large domestic corn supplies for the rejection.
GMO food is struggling to win over public opinion after a series of media reports in recent years alleging health risks.