July 27, 2007

Vietnam's GM crops usage still melancholic despite approval

In 2005, the government of Vietnam has approved the use of genetically modified (GM) crops such as soybean and corn to reduce its dependence on imports but the slow progress of implementing the guidelines are yet to be ratified. Field trials or commercial production of GM crops are hence still not allowed in the country, according to the US Department of Agriculture in its "Vietnam Biotechnology Update 2007" report.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Vietnam Food Administration have been tasked to prepare the guidelines for commercial production and trade of biotechnology (Bt) crops. But these are yet to be approved by the government, according to the report.

The country has imported huge volumes of Bt agricultural commodities as raw materials for its developing industries. Among the sectors that are gaining prominence is the animal feed group that heavily imports corn and soybean meal. In 2006, Vietnam has imported 1.5 million tonnes of soybean from Argentina and the United States and 660 thousand tonnes of corn from China, Thailand and Argentina.

While Vietnam has a relaxed view for biotech imports, the country still outlines requirements for permits and labelling that could prove disruptive to the trade. With the approval of the National Action Plan of the Convention on Biodiversity and the Cartagena Protocol, the labelling and conducting the risk assessments of GM products might be hampered, the report said.

For more of the USDA report, please click here