February 13, 2012

 

Origin Agritech eyes China's GM corn approval by 2013 

 

 

Origin Agritech Ltd. (SEED) expects the government of China to approve genetically modified (GM) corn for commercial planting in 2013, stated Chairman Han Gengchen Friday (Feb 10).

 

China's Ministry of Agriculture is studying the feasibility of allowing commercial plantation of GM grains, which could help vouchsafe corn supply in the world's second-largest corn consumer - once approval is granted.

 

Origin Agritech, a major seed producer, has played a leading role in pioneering such grains in China.

 

In 2009, it was the first company to receive biosafety certification from the agriculture ministry for its GM phytase corn.

 

Phytases are enzymes that are used as additives in corn make more of the grain's nutrients available when they are consumed. Phytase corn has been bioengineered to incorporate the enzyme.

 

Once approved for commercialisation, the Nasdaq-listed company expects the area under its phytase corn to account for 10% of China's total corn area within 10 years, Han said Friday.

 

Origin Agritech previously said it would obtain approval to commercialise its GM corn in 2010 or 2011.

 

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications said in a report Friday that it expects China to allow commercial plantation of GM corn before 2015.

 

The agriculture ministry couldn't be reached for comment Friday.

 

Even without genetic modification, China has been able to boost its corn supply in recent years, easing self-sufficiency concerns. Last year, the country notched an eighth consecutive record grain harvest, with corn output rising 8.2% to 192 million tonnes.

 

GM corn, with strains that are able to resist disease, harsh weather and herbicides, is expected to raise China's grain yield even further.

 

Still, China's government has been wary of rushing to approve of GM crops for commercial production, though it has allowed trial areas for certain modified grains and permits imports of certain strains of GM grains and soy.

 

In September, agriculture Vice Minister Chen Xiaohua told reporters the government is still studying whether GM corn is "the route to take" to boost grain supply.

 

The China Feed Industry Association said last year that China will likely face a 15 million-tonne shortfall in corn output versus consumption by 2015.