Chinese GMO law could further delay approval of new crops

Proposed changes to China's regulations on genetically modified organisms (GMO) could further delay an already lengthy approval process for imports of new GMO crops, plant science industry association CropLife Asia said.

China's Ministry of Agriculture revealed plans to amend its regulations on GMOs last month, which was seen as an attempt to reassure consumers concerned about the contamination of conventional foods with GMOs.

The changes, open for public comment until May 24, include the removal of fixed periods for the submission and review of new GMO crops, which is likely to result in further delays for seed firms, said CropLife Asia, whose members include Monsanto, Bayer CropScience and DuPont .

"We have particular concerns about the amendments to articles 16 and 22 since they are likely to have significant negative impacts on the timeliness, predictability and transparency of the Chinese agricultural biotechnology approvals system," said executive director Siang Hee Tan.

Current law stipulates three deadlines for the submission of GMO crops for approval each year - March 1, July 1 and Nov. 1. At each deadline, an expert biosafety committee meets to review pending applications.
The Ministry of Agriculture issues official approvals at a later date based on the committee's assessment.

The new version of the law includes no such fixed dates for reviewing applications. It also has a clause saying the ministry will consider "scientific, economic and social factors" in its decision-making, broadening it out from scientific considerations.

The ministry did not respond to a request for comment on the changes.