March 3, 2008

China to retain GM-free status of soy

Chinese soy is also likely to remain GM-free for the foreseeable future as the government still regards GM technology with suspicion, according to a USDA attache report posted Friday (February 29, 2008).

By remaining GM-free, Chinese soy would also be able to gain a substantial premium when selling to European and Asian markets.

The trade related biotech policy also remains unchanged. In early 2007, the Ministry of Agriculture extended the genetically enhanced soy safety certificates to 2010. Although shipment-by-shipment certification by MOA is unnecessarily burdensome, traders have not reported trade disruption related to biotech certificates.