Though China has relaxed the restrictions on the research of genetically modified (GM) staple crops and removed obstacles politically, it is still a long way to go to realize large-area commercial cultivation.
The Chinese government is opening up a path for commercial cultivation of GM staple crops. No matter from the voice from the high level of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, or the smile of GM Crop Giants, we can see the signs of commercialization of GM staple crops.
There was a clue long time ago. The establishment of China International Seed Co., Ltd. by the large GM seed company Monsanto and China National Seed Group is the wind vane. China International Seed Co., Ltd., with a registered capital of RMB480 million, is a genuine giant in the seed industry. Through China International Seed Co., Ltd., Monsanto corns are actually being grown in a number of large grain-producing regions in China, while in the past they were only grown in Guangxi.
Currently Chinese corn and rice seed manufacturers include Longping High-Tech, Shandong Denghai Seeds Co., Ltd., Wanxiang Doneed Co., Ltd., Dabeinong Group, Hainan Dafeng, Hubei Allwin High-tech Seed Co., Ltd., Xinsai Group, Gansu Yasheng Industrial Group, etc. Once the commercialization of GM crops is allowed, the first to benefit will be undoubtedly relevant seed companies.
Analysts said, "GM seeds can bring higher profits for companies. Companies with a relatively large scale are eyeing up for the opportunity, hoping to have a finger in the pie.'
In fact, MOA of China earlier proposed increasing the concentration of Top 50 seed companies to over 60% of the whole industry's market value by 2020. The policy is expected to further concentrate the industry in the hand of leading companies. Moreover, the policy has specified requirements on the test of GM seeds. Analysts in the industry think that the commercialization of GM seeds will be put on agenda.
Additionally, according to the Selected Documents Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has included Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the Central Conference on Rural Work on December 23, 2013. President Xi mentioned in the speech that genetic modification is a new technology and new industry and it has a great development prospect.
The series of policies and the attitudes of the high level show that the direction of commercialization of GM seeds in China is basically settled, and the commercialization of GM seeds will be unlikely to face any political barrier.