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GM rice certificates expired in China
Aug. 19, 2014
The commercial cultivation of genetically modified rice in China may still be far in the future as the safety certificates of two varieties of GM rice have expired and it is unknown if they have been extended.
The expiration of the certificates came only days after a report that GM rice has flowed into the local market, although no GM rice may be commercially grown or imported to China.
Only the two varieties of GM rice have received safety certificates in China, which is the first step in gaining permission for commercial cultivation.
Both varieties, including BT 63, were developed by Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan, Hubei province. They received safety certificates on Aug 17, 2009, after an 11-year evaluation by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Each certificate is valid for five years but may be extended on application to the ministry one year before the expiration date.
GM crops must get another three documents, including a business certificate and seed production license, before they may be commercially cultivated. No staple food grain in China has yet obtained all those documents.
If the certificates of the two varieties were not extended, their developers will have to apply for new certificates as if they are new varieties, Luo Yunbo, dean of the College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering at China Agricultural University, told China Central Television. "It takes at least two years to get new certificates," Luo said.
Source: China Daily
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