November 10,2003

China To Continue Soy Imports From Brazil; Be It GM or Not
 

China will continue to import soy from Brazil after Brazil's Government allowed local farmers to grow genetically modified (GM) soy in 2003, Chinese Deputy Agriculture Minister Liu Jian announced on November 6, 2003.

Brazil presented a certificate attesting the quality of its GM soy. China will continue to buy the product from Brazil as it does from other countries which also export GM soy, Jian said.

The contract for exports of Brazilian GM soy to China expires in April 2004, after which talks for a new agreement will take place, Brazil's Agriculture Minister Roberto Rodrigues said.

The Brazilian soy exports to China accounted for $1.37 billion (1.215 billion euro) for January to September 2003.