December 21, 2020

China to industrialise biotech breeding, possible step towards commercialising GM crops

China will industrialise biotech breeding as part of its measures to boost food security, indicating that the country could commercialise genetically modified (GM) crops in the future, Reuters reported.

In a statement published on Xinhua after the Central Economic Work Conference held on December 16-18, top leaders said China needs to make better use of science and technology to achieve a "turnaround" in its seed industry.

The statement added that to safeguard food security, China needs to implement the strategy of storing grain in the ground and storing grain in technology.

China has majorly invested in GM research and development. Last year, it issued biosecurity certificates for domestic strains of GM soybean and corn.

But China has been careful about commercialising GM crops.

Even though the statement did not specifically refer to "GM", analysts said it underlines the role of new technology in China's food security efforts, especially as China aims to protect itself from trade disruptions and to derive as much benefit as possible from its limited farmland.

Mao Yifan from Industrial Securities said the combination of GM corn strains at the end of last year plus rising prices of corn, GM corn seeds with improved efficiency will be promoted or accelerated in China.

The Central Economic Work Conference is a gathering held yearly where China's top leaders and policymakers plan the country's economic course for upcoming year.

- Reuters