July 13, 2012

Malaysia evaluates corn, soy types for animal, human consumption import

Two types of transgenic corn and one of soy to import for animal and human consumption are being evaluated by Malaysia, a senior government official said Wednesday (July 11).

"Six genetically modified (GM) events [strains] of corn and soy have been approved so far, and applications for three are now being studied," Johnny Andrew, a director in the Department of Biosafety, said on the side lines of the World Sustainable Agriculture Congress here. Normally, a decision is taken within 180 days of an application being made, he said.

Malaysia is the largest corn importer in Southeast Asia, and purchases are likely to rise 18% to 3.3 million tonnes in the current marketing year that started July 1, according to a forecast by the London-based International Grains Council. It is also a significant importer of soy and soymeal.

Regulatory clearance for imports of more transgenic types of corn and soy will provide a wider choice to buyers.

Malaysia put in place a Biosafety Act in 2007 to regulate among other things the production of and trade in GM crops, but Andrew said no applications have been received so far for cultivation of GM agricultural commodities.