Summary: This article reviews the main
events in China's GM industry in 2015.
Source: Bing
Author: Tong Pingya
Researcher of the Chinese Academy of
Agricultural Sciences. He has long been engaged in the scientific study of corn
and agricultural development strategy research. With extensive theoretical
knowledge and practice experience, Mr. Tong acts as a senior consultant for
both government departments and non-government organizations.
1. 2015 No. 1 Central Document popularizes
GMO science
The No. 1 Central Document indicated that
the technology research, safety management and scientific popularization of
agricultural genetically modified organisms (GMO) should be enhanced.
2. GM rice approved again by MOA
In Jan., 2015, Huazhong Agricultural
University announced that the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic
of China (the MOA) had renewed the safety certificates for two insect-resistant
GM rice varieties, Huahui1 and Bt Shanyou63. On 17 Aug., 2009, the National
Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms Safety Committee of the MOA issued
safety certificates for these two varieties, with a validity of 5 years.
3. New food safety law adds terms on GM
food
On 24 April, 2015, the new Food Safety Law
of the People's Republic of China was officially approved. According to the new
law, GM foods should highlight labels as required, ensuring customers' right to
know about the products.
4. International organization calls China
to stop producing glyphosate
The People’s Food Sovereignty Website
pointed out that 10 international non-governmental organizations jointly
published an Open Letter to Chinese people and Chinese leaders. This letter
earnestly requested Chinese government to play the role of global leadership on
the issue of stopping the production of glyphosate.
5. Beijing residents sue MOA for sheltering
Monsanto
On 16 Nov., 2015, the Third Beijing
Intermediate People’s Court opened a court session to hear the case: Beijing
residents sue MOA for sheltering Monsanto.
Plaintiff: Yang Xiaolu, Li Xiangzhen, Tian
Xiangping (3 citizens)
Defendant: the MOA and Monsanto Company
Focus of the trial: whether Monsanto’s
report of glyphosate toxicology test for GM seeds should be classified as a
trade secret.
The final decision is still being adjudicated
upon.
6. Clive James had a low-key visit in China
Clive James, the founder and chairman of
the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications,
visited China in late Jan., 2015. On 29 Jan., 2015, only Huang Dafang from
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences accompanied Clive James, who took part
in a symposium about the industrialization of bio-breeding of crops. Few media
reported this event.
7. GM soybeans being planted in
Heilongjiang?
On 5 Sept., 2015, the China Business
Journal reported that in the recent two years, a few farmers are planting GM
soybeans in Suihua City, Heilongjiang Province. This has caused a panic about
GM soybeans among the public.
On 8 Sept., 2015, the AgriGoods Herald
tracked the information and found Heilongjiang farmers may have two channels to
obtain GM soybean seeds:
-
Multinational corporations have bribed officials or merchants and
then secretly planted GM soybean on farms
-
Scientific research personnel have extended the GM soybean planting
area
On 22 Sept., 2015, the Heilongjiang Rural
Affairs Commission announced that its investigation team had been to the
related county and talked with the person in charge of Yihai Karry
(Heilongjiang) Grain and Oil Co. Ltd. The investigation showed that no one had
planted GM soybean secretly.
8. Central Committee of the Jiu San (Sept.
3rd) Society holds symposium on GMOs issues
Yu Zhengsheng, the chairman of the National
Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC),
reported about the working arrangements of 2015 at the 3rd Conference of the
12th NPC Standing Committee, and required all parties to deploy investigations
and consultant activities on "the opportunities and risks of GMOs”.
On 2 April, 2015, the Central Committee of
the Jiu San (Sept. 3rd) Society organized a symposium on GMO issues, which was
attended by Cong Bin (the deputy chairman of the said Society) and other
members. At the symposium, three agricultural experts made speeches. They were
Jiang Gaoming (from the Chinese Academy of Sciences), Xu Qifeng (from the China
Agricultural University) and Tong Pingya (from the Chinese Academy of
Agricultural Sciences).
9. CPPCC holds symposium on opportunities
and risks of GMOs
On 8 Oct., 2015, the CPPCC held a biweekly
consultation forum, and members offered suggestions and advice on the topic of
“the opportunities and risks of GMOs”. Yu Zhengsheng, the chairman of the
CPPCC, hosted the forum and made a speech.
10. Chinese high rates of cancer and
imported GMOs
On 16 Oct., 2015, on the Capital (Beijing)
International Cancer Conference, the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association published
a report. Cancer has become the top killer in China. Accordingly:
-
New cancer cases: about 3.37 million/a, accounting for 22% of global
total
-
Mortality: 2.11 million/a, accounting for 26%, more than a quarter,
of the global cancer deaths
China is the biggest importer of GM
soybeans. The main applications of these soybeans include processing blended
oil and soybean oil, and deep-processing products including soybean
phospholipid, soybean milk powder, corn starch, corn syrup, etc. These
ingredients can produce biscuits, drinks, milk products, cakes, instant foods,
impulse foods, puffed foods, rice noodles and other products.
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