March 11, 2016
China will respond against illegal GM cultivations
China'sMinistry of Agriculture will act against any unlawful plantings of genetically modified (GM) crops to ensure the safety of public health.
Chinese minister, Han Changfu, acknowledged that while some farmland had been planting GM crops without official approval, they were "individual cases".
The ministry regards highly the proper management of GMfood, Han added. China imported 81 million tonnes of soybean in 2015, mostly genetically modified, the minister revealed.
According to Chen Xiwen, deputy director of the Office of Central Rural Work Leading Group, only cotton and pawpaw have been approved for the employment of GM technology.
Officials have otherwise adopted a softer stance towards GM foods, debating the need for special crops to overcome the problems of drought and pests.
- GBTIMES