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China's Ministry of Agriculture has approved the use of 37 genetically modified varieties of corn seeds and 14 varieties of GM soybeans, which brings the country closer to the start of commercial production of these GM crops, Nasdaq reports, citing Reuters.
As specified, the corn varieties approved by the ministry on October 18 belong to Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Co, Syngenta and Dabeinong 002385.SZ. Allowing the cultivation of GM varieties is expected to significantly increase corn yields and may reduce corn imports in the future.
"The use rate of GM corn seeds is expected to peak at 90% over the next five years," Tianfeng Agriculture analysts said.
According to the ministry, the list of approved varieties will be open for public comment until November 15. At the same time, it is expected that the state will control the areas that will be planted with new varieties.
“Once the above-mentioned varieties are approved in accordance with the procedures, the actual planted area should also be in accordance with the relevant arrangements for the national industrialization of biological breeding,” it said.
However, it is not yet clear whether commercial sales will be fully open next year. As the head of one of the seed development companies noted, “the technical barrier has disappeared, but the administrative decision has not yet been finally made.”
Let us recall that China has been cautious about GM technologies for a long time, but in recent years it has changed its position, confirming, in particular, since 2019, the safety of 14 varieties of corn and several varieties of soybeans.
