BEIJING (Commodity Online) : China’s Agriculture Ministry said the country will accelerate development of its own genetically modified (GMO) crops, seeking to secure food security and international competitiveness.

The ministry in a statement denied recent media reports that China had already approved imported GMO grain seeds for widespread planting.



"The Ministry of Agriculture has never approved any genetically-modified grain seeds for planting in the country, and there are no GMO grain crops being planted within the country," said the statement.

The GMO cotton, soy, maize and rapeseed approved for import into China were "restricted to use as raw materials for processing," but not for planting, said the statement.

China will be a leading player in international competition to create and grow its own GMO crops that are resistant to pests and diseases.

Developing GMO strains was important for both international competitiveness and ensuring China's food security, said the statement.

China approved the safety of the insect-resistant Bt strain of rice and phytase corn last November, opening the door to widespread planting of the GMO grain crops, within about three years.

A survey conducted by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) showed that Bt rice could cut pesticide use by as much as 80 percent and save labour costs for farmers, boosting net income by $72 per hectare.

More than 20 GMO crops have been approved for field trials, including wheat, soybean and rapeseed, according to the CAS report published last month.

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