Additional round of genetically engineered corn seed production and operational licenses issued in China

On November 4, 2024, MARA published Announcement No. 842 (link in Chinese), announcing the issuance of 58 seed production and operational licenses, including 13 GE corn seed production and operational licenses. The 13 companies with these licenses can produce 21 GE corn varieties (see list below). Please refer to GAIN Report CH2024-0129 for details on the target traits and yield performance of these varieties. MARA issued the first round of 26 GE seed production and operational licenses on December 26, 2023. Please see GAIN Report CH2023-0198 for details for this first round of licenses. It is worth noting that even if a GE seed production and operational license is issued, the approved GE corn and soybean varieties may only be planted in approved areas, which will limit the scale of planting in 2025.

This report provides an unofficial translation of MARA’s announcement and the list of GE corn seed production and operational licenses.

BEGIN UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

Announcement of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs No. 842

In accordance with the relevant provisions of the Seed Law of the People's Republic of China, the Administrative Rules for Safety of Agriculture GMOs, and the Administrative Measures for Crop Seed Production and Operation License, 58 enterprises including Beijing Tuoyuan Seed Co., Ltd. were approved to issue crop seed production and operation licenses (see the annex for details).

The announcement is hereby made.