The Chinese government has approved 51 new genetically modified (GM) varieties of corn and soybeans, according to information from Agri Pulse.
While the 51 approvals – 14 soybean varieties and 37 corn varieties – announced by China's National Crop Variety Approval Committee are preliminary, they are expected to also allow Chinese producers to begin using the technology that farmers in the North -Americans have been using it for decades to eradicate pests, reduce pesticide use and increase productivity, the Oct. 25 report said.
With approvals open until Nov. 15, farmers are expected to begin planting the newly approved varieties next year, according to the report from the Beijing office of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and the United States Department of Agriculture. United States (USDA).
Approval of transgenic corn and soybean varieties
“Once finalized, the listed GMO corn and soybean varieties could be planted in approved areas, bringing (China) closer to full commercial cultivation of GMO corn and soybeans,” the FAS said in the Oct. 24 report. “However, in the coming years, pilot programs approved by China are likely to be the only option for planting GM corn and soybean varieties, thus limiting the scale of planting in 2024.”
While it is an important development in the country's changing stance on the acceptance of GM technology, it was unclear whether the new approvals would result in significant new business for international seed companies, according to industry sources cited by Agri Pulse.
“Overall, it’s good news… China is accepting new technology, but it’s not our technology,” said an unnamed industry representative.
“Agricultural biotechnology is still on China’s negative list for foreign domestic investment, which means foreign countries cannot produce seeds or even license seed technology for use on Chinese farms.”
The challenges of seed approval in China and the impact on international companies
China had two distinct approval processes. One of the agreements focused on international aspects. The second was aimed at Chinese companies dedicated to domestic seed production. This information is contained in the Agri Pulse report.
China seeks to increase production through biotechnology. However, the approval paths do not cross, except in the case of Syngenta, linked to the state-owned ChemChina.
Of the 51 newly approved varieties, China National Seed Group, a unit of Syngenta, has produced four.
The recent approvals highlighted that the US process has not stopped Syngenta. However, Chinese regulations have blocked global approvals for the seeds, as indicated in the report.
Currently, China's National Agricultural Biosafety Committee is evaluating biotech varieties from international companies such as BASF, Bayer and Corteva for possible approval.
Five varieties were awaiting final certificate approval after being suspended for three to eight years, Agri Pulse wrote.
The report indicates that in the week before it was issued, China granted its final approval to a BASF canola variety. The company had first introduced this variety in 2017.
Source: Oils & Fats International
