Source: Ukragroconsult (Ukraine)
The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) recently published a list of 30 GMO plant varieties that have been finally approved for cultivation, including 27 GMO corn varieties and 3 soybean varieties.
The varieties have undergone preliminary review by China’s National Committee for Crop Variety Registration (CNCVRC). They were put up for public discussion on March 19, 2024. This is the second list of approved GMO corn and soybean varieties. The first list of 51 approved maize and soybean varieties was published on December 7, 2023.
The listed genetically modified maize and soybean varieties can be grown in the designated approved areas, bringing the country closer to the commercial cultivation of GMO crops. However, market observers assume that they will not be used everywhere in the foreseeable future, but only as part of pilot programs in the People’s Republic of China.
Additional, but unofficial, information on the properties and characteristics of the new varieties has also been published. The main candidate varieties include:
- Beijing Huanong Weiye Seed Technology Co., Ltd;
- Chengde Yufeng Seed Industry Co., Ltd;
- Fushun Tiannong Seed Industry Co., Ltd;
- Jilin Yuntianhua Seed Industry Co., Ltd;
- Beidahuang Kenfeng Seed Industry Co, Ltd;
- China Agricultural University;
- Dandong Denghai Liangyu Seed Industry Co, Ltd;
- Maize Research Institute of the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry
and other important scientific seed breeding companies and institutions.