China Greenlights Imports of Two New GMO Products -- Update
June 14 2017 - 9:32PM
Dow Jones News
By Brian Spegele and in Beijing Jacob Bunge in Chicago
China approved imports of two new varieties of genetically
modified crops, clearing the way for U.S. agricultural companies to
market new biotech seeds to farmers.
The decision announced Wednesday affects genetically engineered
corn and soybean varieties developed by Dow Chemical Co. and
Monsanto Co. It comes after Beijing agreed to speed reviews of
biotechnology applications as part of a trade deal with the Trump
administration last month.
For the U.S. farm sector, the move marks a step toward clearing
a backlog of biotech seeds that have awaited approval from China,
in some cases for years. Because China imports more soybeans than
any other country and ranks as a major buyer of corn and other
crops, seed companies typically wait to widely release new
genetically engineered seeds until China says it will permit those
crops to be imported.
Seed companies have long complained that China's regulatory
approval process is slow-moving and opaque, leaving farmers in
North and South America without access to high-tech seeds and crop
sprays that companies and farm groups say can help them battle
hard-to-kill weeds and fend off destructive pests.
The agricultural industry hailed the May trade deal announced
between the U.S. and China, under which China committed to rule
within 100 days on eight biotech crops, including four developed by
Monsanto, two from Dow, one from DuPont Co. and one from Syngenta
AG.
"We're very encouraged and glad to see the progress being made,"
said Joe Vertin, a senior seed official with Dow.
Dow continues to await Chinese approval for its similarly
engineered Enlist soybeans. China's National Biosafety Committee
has asked Dow for more information related to those seeds, which
Dow is addressing, Mr. Vertin said. U.S. agriculture-industry
officials anticipate the Chinese committee to meet again soon to
rule on other seeds that have yet to be approved.
A Monsanto spokeswoman said the company welcomed Wednesday's
approval of its Vistive Gold soybean, which Monsanto says produces
more healthful vegetable oil, but hopes China will address its
other seeds in the coming weeks.
In addition to the two new seed approvals, 14 other genetically
modified crop varieties were renewed for importing into China.
China's decision to allow new imports of genetically modified
crops comes as the government struggles to balance a desire to
boost farms' productivity with a deep mistrust of such crops by its
citizens.
The new approvals only apply to importing of grains into China,
and not the planting of genetically modified seeds themselves.
While China currently prohibits planting of genetically modified
staples, western industry executives say they are hopeful that
China will loosen those restrictions over time.
There is a general scientific consensus in the U.S. that GMO
crops are safe. But in China, doubts remain. While the government
has said it believes genetically modified crops are safe in
principle, it has been cautious about approving new varieties for
imports, fearing a public backlash.
Unlike in the U.S., China doesn't permit planting of genetically
modified seeds for staple grains such as corn and soybeans.
Loosening those restrictions is one measure that would help boost
yields at Chinese farms, say industry executives, a huge goal for
China's government as it strives to feed its growing middle
class.
State-owned China National Chemical Corp.'s recent deal to buy
Switzerland's Syngenta -- a major developer of genetically modified
seeds -- brought such issues to the forefront of a public dialogue
over genetically altered crops in China. Many foreign executives
hope such a deal by a major Chinese state-owned enterprise could
help open the market for more genetically modified crops over
time.
DuPont said that while it has yet to receive approval for an
insect-control trait for corn it is seeking in China, it was
"encouraged by the fast progress" of China's government in the
latest approvals, and looked forward to the approval of additional
products.
China and the U.S. moved ahead this week with another aspect of
the trade agreement, outlining rules for U.S. meatpackers to ship
beef into China. The step is a precursor to China reopening its
estimated $2.6 billion beef market to U.S. producers after nearly
14 years.
Yang Jie contributed to this article.
Write to Brian Spegele at brian.spegele@wsj.com and Jacob Bunge
at jacob.bunge@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
June 14, 2017 21:17 ET (01:17 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2017 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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