December 28, 2023

China grants licences to 26 companies for commercial production of GMO corn and soybeans

China has granted licenses to 26 domestic seed companies, allowing them to produce, distribute, and sell genetically modified corn and soybean seeds in specific provinces, a pivotal step toward the commercial planting of genetically modified organism (GMO) grains in the country, The Business Times reported.

China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued a notice revealing the list of companies that have received seed production and operation licenses for GMO corn and soybeans. Among the licensed entities are prominent names such as Beijing Dabeinong Technology and China National Seed, which is now owned by the Syngenta Group.

Notably, the licensed companies are spread across major grain-producing provinces, including Hebei, Liaoning, Jilin, and Inner Mongolia. This batch of licenses represents China's initial group of companies authorized for the production and operation of GMO corn and soybeans, as highlighted by the Glocon Agritech Co-Innovation Institute.

While China has approached GMO technology with caution, this move underscores a gradual opening of the market. The country has approved over a dozen genetic changes since 2019, signalling a shift in its stance on genetically modified crops.

As the world's largest buyer of soybeans and corn, China aims to decrease its reliance on imports, which currently exceed 100 million metric tonnes annually to meet the demands of its livestock.

-      The Business Times