As public concern over genetically modified (GM) foods rises in China, reporters from the People's Daily interviewed competent authorities and experts at the “Two Sessions” (the National People's Congress or NPC and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference or CPPCC) of 2014.

 

Question 1: Did GM staple foods get approval for commercial production in China?

 

Response: No GM staple foods are allowed for commercial production at present.

 

“China does not allow commercial production of any genetically modified staple foods, but China needs to stay on top of GM technology.” Niu Dun，MOA Vice Minister and member of CPPCC National Committee told the media on March 3rd, 2014 after the opening meeting of CPPCC in Beijing.

 

Niu's comment came in response to the rumor that GM corn and rice are being grown illegally on a large scale in grain-producing provinces including Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi and Jilin.

 

“So far, China has approved only the production of GM cotton and papaya. No GM staple foods such as meat, eggs, milk or seafood are allowed for commercial production,” Niu said.

 

“We should draw a clear distinction between GM research and GM production. The GM technology, an advanced technology that is valued greatly across the globe, should be taken seriously by us,” Niu explained.

 

“There is no commercial production of GM rice in Hubei Province,” Wang Hongling, Deputy Director-General of Hubei Department of Agriculture and NPC deputy said. ”Only field testing for research purpose is carried out on a very small scale”.

 

According to Deng Xiuxin, President of Hubei-based Huazhong Agricultural University and NPC deputy, the University is undertaking field testing for GM rice on a farm less than 10 mu (0.667 hectares) with the approval of MOA.

 

“In line with the Seed Law of the People's Republic of China, commercial production of GM crops shall go through a series of examination procedures like variety registration and certification for seed production and business,” said Xie Jiajian, Associate Research Fellow of Institute of Plant Protection of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IPP-CAAS).

 

Peng Yufa, Vice Chairman of State Agricultural GM Crop Bio-safety Committee and CPPCC deputy stressed that illegal GMO environmental release, pre-production testing, commercial production or application are strictly prohibited in China.

 

Question 2: What measures are taken for GM crop monitoring in China?

 

Response: A five-step safety evaluation system and constant monitoring programs are adopted.

 

“Agricultural GMO bio-safety evaluation focuses on both food safety and environmental safety, including the following five steps: lab research, restricted field testing (middle test), enlarged field testing (environmental release), pre-production testing and issuance of Bio-safety Certificate,” Peng introduced.

 

Even for those GM crops with Bio-safety Certificates, enhanced and constant monitoring is also conducted during variety examination and approval, seed production, marketing and labeling.

 

“MOA formulates monitoring programs for GM crops every year, and provincial competent authorities are responsible for implementation,” Peng said.

 

If unapproved GM traces are detected in a certain crop variety, its field testing shall be halted, and production application shall be rescinded for three years.

 

Question 3: Does China have in place a labeling system for agricultural GMOs?

 

Response: China has instituted a mandatory labeling system covering 17 items under 5 categories.

 

According to Peng’s introduction, GMOs labeling policies around the world fall into four types: (1) voluntary GMOs labeling, enforced by the US, Canada, Argentina and some other countries; (2) mandatory labeling up to a threshold GM content level, enforced by EU, that food containing greater than 0.9% of approved GMOs must be labeled; (3) mandatory labeling for GMO foods with GM content threshold up to 5%, enforced by Japan, and (4) mandatory labeling for GM foods listed in specified catalogues.

 

China adopts the fourth labeling system. In 2002, China released the Administrative Measures for Agricultural GMOs Labeling, which specifies the first mandatory labeling catalogue covering 17 GM food items under 5 categories namely soybean, oilseed rape, corn, cotton and tomato.

 

Question 4: How shall we look at GM crops?

 

Response: Be sensible and beef up management.

 

“GM is not just about science. GM wheat R&D of the US sets a good example, demonstrating the nation’s research capability and state competitiveness.” Niu pointed out, “to be competitive and enhance the soft-power, China must take the high ground in technology. “

 

“Strict bio-safety evaluation will be adopted before GM foods go to the market. The process is more stringent than that for conventional foods particularly in assessing their impact on the environment and human health,” according to Yang Xiaoguang, Research Fellow of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

“Consumers’ attitudes towards GMOs should be science-based and rational. There is no reliable evidence that ingredients derived from GM crops pose any health risk whatsoever. GM technology has yielded great social, economic and biological benefits during past years. Some concerns and doubts have been clarified or cleared,” said Huang Dafang, Research Fellow of Biotechnology Research Institute under CAAS.

 

“Conventional technology might not solve all the ‘bottle necks’ of agricultural development in China, while GM technology might increase food supply and farmers’ income as well. Only by our own efforts, can China achieve technology independence,” Huang added.

 

 

(All information published in this website is authentic in Chinese. The English version is provided for reference only.)